Average Rent in Nebraska
Rental market overview for Nebraska, powered by HUD and Census data.
Median Rent
$792
Median Income
$62,576
Rent Burden
27.2%
Avg FMR (2BR)
N/A
Affordability
Nebraska: 27.2% rent burden, near the 30% affordability threshold.
Affordability Map: Income vs Rent in Nebraska
Each dot is a city, sized by population. The diagonal line is the 30% rent to income threshold. Cities above the line tend to be unaffordable for median earners.
How Nebraska Compares to the National Average
Median Rent
Rent Burden
Vacancy Rate
Nebraska Rental Market Overview
Nebraska has approximately 588 cities with rental data tracked by StayRentals. Roughly 20.5% of housing units in the state are renter-occupied. The state's median rent is approximately $792, which is 42% lower than the national median of $1,365. (Source: Census ACS)
The average Nebraska renter spends approximately 27.2% of their income on rent, compared to the national average of approximately 30.3%. This suggests the state is generally in line with or more affordable than national averages. (Source: Census ACS)
With a rental vacancy rate of approximately 15.7%, the Nebraska rental market may offer renters more options and negotiating power. (Source: Census ACS)
Rent Burden Distribution Across Nebraska Cities
19% of cities in Nebraska have a rent burden at or above 30% of household income.
Most and Least Affordable Cities
Most Affordable Cities
Most affordable cities (lowest rent burden):
Most expensive cities (highest rent burden):
HUD Fair Market Rent by Bedroom
HUD Fair Market Rent data is reported at the county level for this state. See city pages for local FMR data.
Population vs Median Rent in Nebraska
In Nebraska, larger cities tend to have similar rents regardless of size.
Renting in Nebraska: What to Know
Renter protections and landlord-tenant laws vary by state and municipality within Nebraska. Most states require landlords to provide advance notice before raising rent on month-to-month leases, though the specific notice period varies. Some municipalities within Nebraska may have additional local tenant protections.
Housing laws change frequently. For advice specific to your situation, consult a local tenant rights organization, legal aid society, or attorney. StayRentals does not provide legal advice.
Nebraska Rental Market Trends
Rent trends for Nebraska are tracked through the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index for shelter costs. Nationally, rent costs have generally increased over the past decade, though the rate of increase varies by metro area and time period.
Detailed monthly rent CPI data is available for major metropolitan areas. Visit our homepage for the national rent CPI trend chart, or explore individual city pages for local context. (Source: BLS Consumer Price Index)
Cities in Nebraska
588 cities with rental data, sorted by population.
Showing top 50 of 588 by population
| City | Population | Median Rent | Rent Burden | FMR (2BR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 489,201 | $1,099 | 29.1% | N/A |
| Lincoln | 290,531 | $998 | 27.8% | N/A |
| Bellevue | 63,336 | $1,141 | 26.6% | N/A |
| Grand Island | 52,822 | $886 | 28.1% | N/A |
| Kearney | 33,809 | $897 | 27.6% | N/A |
| Fremont | 27,230 | $897 | 26.0% | N/A |
| Norfolk | 25,883 | $801 | 25.8% | N/A |
| Hastings | 25,098 | $814 | 27.8% | N/A |
| Columbus | 24,035 | $867 | 27.4% | N/A |
| Papillion | 24,016 | $1,154 | 24.9% | N/A |
| North Platte | 23,309 | $871 | 31.3% | N/A |
| La Vista | 16,713 | $1,183 | 28.7% | N/A |
| Scottsbluff | 14,454 | $942 | 29.9% | N/A |
| South Sioux City | 13,835 | $963 | 26.1% | N/A |
| Beatrice | 12,237 | $686 | 28.1% | N/A |
| Lexington | 10,662 | $921 | 23.1% | N/A |
| Chalco | 10,457 | $1,030 | 29.4% | N/A |
| Gretna | 9,019 | $1,357 | 25.8% | N/A |
| Gering | 8,582 | $845 | 27.9% | N/A |
| Alliance | 8,118 | $728 | 18.6% | N/A |
| York | 8,101 | $836 | 20.2% | N/A |
| Blair | 7,813 | $932 | 29.0% | N/A |
| Seward | 7,667 | $932 | 28.2% | N/A |
| McCook | 7,412 | $782 | 26.3% | N/A |
| Nebraska City | 7,257 | $901 | 22.8% | N/A |
| Crete | 7,093 | $791 | 28.5% | N/A |
| Plattsmouth | 6,585 | $965 | 31.6% | N/A |
| Schuyler | 6,516 | $958 | 19.2% | N/A |
| Ralston | 6,462 | $1,087 | 29.3% | N/A |
| Sidney | 6,407 | $852 | 26.0% | N/A |
| Wayne | 5,973 | $766 | 37.6% | N/A |
| Offutt AFB | 5,627 | $1,447 | 27.3% | N/A |
| Holdrege | 5,494 | $724 | 28.4% | N/A |
| Chadron | 5,255 | $832 | 27.3% | N/A |
| Ogallala | 4,835 | $715 | 29.6% | N/A |
| Wahoo | 4,832 | $924 | 23.9% | N/A |
| Aurora | 4,656 | $901 | 26.7% | N/A |
| Waverly | 4,289 | $888 | 16.8% | N/A |
| Falls City | 4,124 | $703 | 23.6% | N/A |
| Cozad | 3,943 | $810 | 30.0% | N/A |
| Fairbury | 3,913 | $687 | 27.3% | N/A |
| O'Neill | 3,584 | $737 | 21.4% | N/A |
| Broken Bow | 3,510 | $747 | 28.8% | N/A |
| West Point | 3,481 | $823 | 22.3% | N/A |
| Gothenburg | 3,463 | $815 | 18.9% | N/A |
| Auburn | 3,434 | $686 | 27.5% | N/A |
| Ashland | 3,130 | $802 | 26.1% | N/A |
| Minden | 3,099 | $746 | 22.0% | N/A |
| Central City | 3,035 | $681 | 29.8% | N/A |
| Valley | 3,032 | $970 | 40.4% | N/A |
Data Sources
**Data Sources:**
Data is updated periodically. Census ACS data reflects 5-year estimates. HUD Fair Market Rents are updated annually. BLS rent CPI is updated monthly.
StayRentals is not a real estate agent, landlord, or property manager. This content is for educational and informational purposes only. Rent estimates are based on government data and may not reflect current market conditions. Housing laws vary by state and municipality. Consult a local tenant rights organization or attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Sources: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Market Rents, U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index.
Data vintage: HUD FMR FY 2025, Census ACS 2019–2023 5-Year Estimates, BLS CPI updated monthly. Government data may lag 1–2 years behind current market conditions.