Nebraska Cost of Living Calculator
Nebraska scores 90.1 on the C2ER cost of living index (housing 76.5, Q2 2026): $75,000 at the U.S. average equals about $67,575 here; its highest part is health care at 104.4.
| Index | Nebraska |
|---|---|
| Composite (sets the equivalent salary) | 90.1 |
| Housing (sets the equivalent rent) | 76.5 |
| Groceries | 98.8 |
| Utilities | 89.4 |
| Transportation | 85.6 |
| Health care | 104.4 |
| Other goods and services | 97.6 |
Source: MERIC Cost of Living Data Series, C2ER (https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series).
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Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index)
Additional Details
Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index, Housing component)
Equivalent Salary Needed
Estimated • Based on your inputs
Salary Difference
-$7,425.00
Detailed Breakdown
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
Nebraska's figures fill the destination side: composite 90.1 for the salary, housing 76.5 for the rent, and 4.55% top rate for the tax line.
How the salary, rent and tax lines are worked out (the same for every state)
Key State Information
Nebraska ranks 11th lowest of the 50 states on the composite index (90.1). Median household income: $76,376 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, table B19013). Statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent (HUD FY2027): $1,274 a month.
What Nebraska's index does to a salary and a rent
| Salary at the U.S. average | Same buying power in Nebraska | Rent at the U.S. average → in Nebraska | Nebraska income tax on that salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $45,050 | $1,000 → $765 | $1,269 (2.8%) |
| $75,000 | $67,575 | $1,500 → $1,148 | $2,294 (3.4%) |
| $100,000 | $90,100 | $2,000 → $1,530 | $3,319 (3.7%) |
| $150,000 | $135,150 | $2,500 → $1,913 | $5,368 (4.0%) |
Nebraska 2026 single-filer rates, after Nebraska Department of Revenue — 2025 Form 1040N, lines 6 and 18 (tax year 2025).
Nebraska and the states it borders
| State | Its composite / housing | $75,000 there = in Nebraska | $1,500 rent there = in Nebraska | $75,000 in Nebraska = there | Income tax there → here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 102.7 / 108.6 | $65,798 | $1,057 | $85,488 | 4.4% flat → 4.55% top rate |
| Iowa | 86.1 / 70.6 | $78,484 | $1,625 | $71,670 | 3.8% flat → 4.55% top rate |
| Kansas | 87.1 / 78.7 | $77,583 | $1,458 | $72,503 | 5.58% top rate → 4.55% top rate |
| Missouri | 88.2 / 77.7 | $76,616 | $1,477 | $73,418 | 4.7% top rate → 4.55% top rate |
| South Dakota | 93.5 / 86.3 | $72,273 | $1,330 | $77,830 | none on wages → 4.55% top rate |
| Wyoming | 94.4 / 88.5 | $71,584 | $1,297 | $78,579 | none on wages → 4.55% top rate |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Nebraska?
Nebraska's composite index is 90.1 for Q2 2026, the 11th lowest of the 50 states, tied with Georgia. A $75,000 salary at the national average buys what about $67,575 buys in Nebraska.
Which prices are highest and lowest in Nebraska?
Against a U.S. average of 100, Nebraska's highest part is health care (104.4) and its lowest is housing (76.5); health care is above the national average, the other five at or below it (C2ER, Q2 2026).
What salary keeps a two-bedroom rent in Nebraska at 30% of income?
About $50,960 a year: Nebraska's FY2027 statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,274 a month, and $15,288 a year is 30% of that salary.