Nebraska attracts Americans from all over. And there are good reasons why: Affordable transport, low cost of living, and cheaper houses. You can’t go wrong with the Cornhusker State!
Although property prices have risen in recent years, the average home value in the top 10 cheapest cities is still only around $300,000. McCook’s cost of living is 23% lower than the national average, and Alliance is 23.2% more affordable than the rest of the country.
But that’s not all! Retirees can enjoy Beatrice’s friendly community and peaceful environment, with homes averaging a nominal $174K. Meanwhile, Holdrege offers a booming job market in education, healthcare, and technology, with median home prices at just $171,479.
Cheapest Places to Live in Nebraska in 2024
Here’s our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Nebraska. We’ve considered the average household income, median list price, median house rent, and the population of the cities.
| City | Median Home Value | Median House Rent | Cost of Living Compared to National Average | Median Household Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Alliance | $165,842 | $985 | 23.2% lower⬇️ | $58,214 | 8,056 |
| 2. Beatrice | $174,765 | $925 | 22.7% lower⬇️ | $49,537 | 12,262 |
| 3. Holdrege | $171,479 | $1,025 | 18.9% lower⬇️ | $58,375 | 5,542 |
| 4. Scottsbluff | $175,166 | $825 | 17.9% lower⬇️ | $55,744 | 14,305 |
| 5. McCook | $175,356 | $600 | 23% lower⬇️ | $53,750 | 7,253 |
| 6. Lexington | $186,566 | $737 | 21.9% lower⬇️ | $63,939 | 10,816 |
| 7. Hastings | $188,148 | $1,300 | 20.6% lower⬇️ | $57,554 | 24,896 |
| 8. North Platte | $194,207 | $1,100 | 18% lower⬇️ | $56,890 | 22,523 |
| 9. Grand Island | $239,971 | $1,400 | 16.3% lower⬇️ | $59,061 | 52,622 |
| 10. Blair | $333,951 | $700 | 8.3% lower⬇️ | $74,058 | 7,967 |
10 Cheapest Places to Live in Nebraska
Here’s our list of 10 cities that offer affordable living options in the Cornhusker State:
#1 Alliance
- Median house rent is $985 | Rental prices range between $575 and $985.
- Median home value of Alliance is $165,842.
- Cost of living in Alliance is 23.2% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Alliance, NE: 68516 | 68521 | 68506
Alliance is an affordable place to live in Nebraska. It also offers affordable transportation, 40% lower than the national average. Alliance appeals to those seeking a secure setting for family life, boasting a crime rate below the national average. The city also has tourist attractions such as Carhenge, an assemblage of thirty-eight vehicles.
» Alliance Homes for Sale: Find your dream home in this city.
#2 Beatrice
- Median house rent is $925 | Rental prices range between $450 and $1,350.
- Median home value of Beatrice is $174,765.
- Cost of living in Beatrice is 22.7% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Beatrice, NE: 68516 | 68521 | 68506
Beatrice offers affordable groceries, which is 5.5% lower than the national average. It is a quaint city located in Gage County and is close to major cities like Lincoln and Omaha. Residents enjoy attractions like Homestead National Monument and Cedar Creek Pottery. This makes it ideal for senior citizens for a peaceful and affordable lifestyle.
» Beatrice Homes for Sale: Browse thousands of property listings in Beatrice.
#3 Holdrege
- Median house rent is $1,025 | Rental prices range between $825 and $1,025.
- Median home value of Holdrege is $171,479.
- Cost of living in Holdrege is 18.9% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Holdrege, NE: 68516 | 68521 | 68506
Holdrege is one of the most affordable cities to live in Nebraska. It has been recognized as the happiest town in Nebraska, due to its delightful living experience. It also offers entertainment options like museums and parks which include Nebraska Prairie Museum and The Tassel Performing Arts Center.
» Holdrege Homes for Sale: Find houses in Cheap cities of NE.
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#4 Scottsbluff
- Median house rent is $825 | Rental prices range between $575 and $1,100.
- Median home value of Scottsbluff is $175,166.
- Cost of living in Scottsbluff is 17.9% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Scottsbluff, NE: 68516 | 68521 | 68506
Scottsbluff offers housing costs 53% cheaper than the national average. The city also offers abundant outdoor activities like fishing and camping at North Platte River. Moreover, Scottsbluff is home to top colleges and universities like Western Nebraska Community College and the University of Nebraska at Kearney, which makes it ideal for young adults.
» Scottsbluff Homes for Sale: Explore Homes in one of the cities of Nebraska.
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#5 McCook
- Median house rent is $600 | Rental prices range between $450 and $975.
- Median home value of McCook is $175,356.
- Cost of living in McCook is 23% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in McCook, NE: 68516 | 68521 | 68506
The average housing price is 57.2% lower than the national average. It also has 6.6% lower grocery costs which provides a comfortable lifestyle in McCook. During the summer season, residents can enjoy numerous festivals like Music on Main Street and the county fair. Football and basketball events are frequent which makes it ideal for sports enthusiasts.
» McCook Homes for Sale: Browse through thousands of properties in Residing.
#6 Lexington
- Median house rent is $737 | Rental prices range between $645 and $1,225.
- Median home value of Lexington is $186,566.
- Cost of living in Lexington is 21.9% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Lexington, NE: 68516 | 68521 | 68506
You can comfortably live in Lexington, with an average household income of $29,880. Located in Dawson County, Lexington is renowned for its historical landmarks. This includes Fort McPherson Historic Site and the Taluran Museum & Archives. Orthman and Tri-County Hospital are the top employers in this city.
» Lexington Homes for Sale: Find a home in one of the cheapest places to live in Nebraska.
#7 Hastings
- Median house rent is $1,300 | Rental prices range between $500 and $1,800
- Median home value of Hastings is $188,148.
- Cost of living in Hastings is 20.6% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Hastings, NE: 68516 | 68521 | 68506
Sacramento is one of the cheapest cities to live in Nebraska, with monthly utility costs 11.4% lower than the national average. It is home to the Hastings Public Schools. Apart from this, the city provides scenic views of Harlan County Lake and Medicine Creek Lake.
» Hastings Homes for Sale: Get yourself a home in this city.
#8 North Platte
- Median house rent is $1,100 | Rental prices range between $475 and $2,500
- Median home value of North Platte is $194,207.
- Cost of living in North Platte is 18% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in North Platte, NE: 68516 | 68521 | 68506
This quaint city, nestled in the heart of the Great Plains, provides a peaceful environment. Housing and grocery costs are ~10% lower than the national average in North Platte. The city hosts the annual Nebraskaland Days which includes parades and art shows. Also North Platte offers breathtaking views with Sandhills.
» North Platte Homes for Sale: Check out the cheapest places to live in MS.
#9 Grand Island
- Median house rent is $1,400 | Rental prices range between $725 and $3,000
- Median home value of Grand Island is $239,971.
- Cost of living in Grand Island is 16.3% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Grand Island, NE: 68516 | 68521 | 68506
Grand Island is one of the most affordable places to live in Nebraska. There are several parks located within the city. The most prominent of these include Stolley Park and George Clayton Hall County Park. Grand Island, NE is experiencing a steady increase in job growth with an impressive 7.42%. Major employers in the city are Chief Industries and Kw.
» Grand Island Homes for Sale: Search homes for sale in Grand Island.
#10 Blair
- Median house rent is $700 | Rental prices range between $700 and $1,699
- Median home value of Blair is $333,951.
- Cost of living in Blair is 8.3% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Blair, NE: 68516 | 68521 | 68506
Blair offers housing costs of 22.9% lower than the national average. Blair offers outdoor activities like fishing on the Missouri River and birdwatching at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge. Moreover, the city is home to Dana College with a beautiful campus.
» Blair Homes for Sale: Explore Homes in one of the cities of Nebraska.
So, Where Is the Cheapest Place to Live in Nebraska?
You will find cheap houses for sale in Nebraska under 150K in cities like Alliance, Beatrice, and McCook. They offer stable job opportunities, and the cost of living is more affordable than other South Dakota cities.
Cities like Grand Island and Blair are slightly expensive but provide better job opportunities. You must research the home prices and living costs. Also, getting a mortgage pre-approval helps you stand out in the competition before buying a house in Nebraska.
📢 Check Out Budget-Friendly Homes for Sale in Nebraska
» Best Rental Websites in America: Can’t find your dream home within your budget? Explore thousands of listings on the nation’s top rental websites.
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To rank the top cities in Nebraska, we analyzed all the regions, evaluating them based on specific criteria. Below is a breakdown of the factors used and the sources of information that informed our rankings.
- Population: World Population Review [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow [2]
- Median Rent: Zillow [3]
- Cost of Living: Rent Cafe [4]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest place to live in Nebraska?
The cheapest place to live in Nebraska is Alliance. It offers affordable transportation, which is 23.9% lower than the state average.
» 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Nebraska: Find out the other cheapest places to live in Nebraska.
Is Nebraska the cheapest place to live in?
No, it is not. The median home value is $259,443. If you're looking for cities with affordable housing and a low cost of living, you can try your luck in some of these cheapest places in America.
Where is the best place to live in Nebraska?
The best place to live in Nebraska is Lexington, followed by North Platte, McCook, Grand Island, York, Schuyler and South Sioux City.
Which Nebraska has the lowest cost of living?
Alliance has the lowest cost of living, which is 23.2% and 12.5% lower than the national and state average, respectively.
