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City Report · NE

Grand Island

Pop. 52,884·9th most expensive in Nebraska·Grand Island rents are up 6.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,337/mo
Year-over-Year
+6.5%
Month-over-Month
+3.2%
vs US Median
-$628
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Grand Island · $1,337
More affordable than 86% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
25% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,337/mo, rent takes about 25% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$53,000/yr
Local median income
$63,795/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Grand Island's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$770
1 BR
$920
2 BR
$1,130
3 BR
$1,430
4 BR+
$1,840
Research median
$1,130/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$16,044/yr
At $1,337/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 6.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+6.5% YoY, +3.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Grand Island, NE is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 20.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
52,884
Median income
$63,795
Median age
34.7
Renters
42.2%
Age distribution
28.2%
22.1%
24%
14.8%
Under 1828.2%
18–3422.1%
35–5424%
55–6410.8%
65+14.8%
Gender
51.1%
48.9%
Male51.1%
Female48.9%
Race & ethnicity
60.2%
36.4%
White60.2%
Black4.6%
Hispanic36.4%
Asian1.3%
Education (25+)
16.5%
32.1%
30.5%
20.9%
No HS diploma16.5%
HS diploma32.1%
Some college30.5%
Bachelor's+20.9%
Housing tenure
57.8%
42.2%
Owner57.8%
Renter42.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Grand Island, NE has changed in 5 years

Income
$58,162 → $63,795
up 9.7%
Population
52,755 → 52,884
up 0.2%
Renter share
40.3% → 42.2%
+1.9 pts
Bachelor's+
21.1% → 20.9%
-0.2 pts

Median household income rose from $58,162 to $63,795 between 2021 and 2024, a 9.7% shift. Renters now make up 42.2% of households, compared with 40.3% five years ago.

Community

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View Grand Island rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Grand Island on your salary?

At $1,337/mo, how Grand Island rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Grand Island rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Grand Island. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Grand Island

About renting in Grand Island, NE

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Grand Island is $1,337/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $770/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,130/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $920/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,430/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($63,795/yr), Grand Island ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Grand Island an affordable city for renters?

Grand Island is considered affordable for renters. At $1,337/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($63,795/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Grand Island falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Grand Island?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $53,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,337/mo in Grand Island. The local median household income is $63,795/yr, meaning the typical Grand Island household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Grand Island?

Rent in Grand Island has increased 6.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Grand Island neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Grand Island are 68803 ($1,290/mo), and 68801 ($1,365/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Grand Island is $1,337/mo.

How does Grand Island rent compare to other cities in Nebraska?

Grand Island is middle-of-the-pack for Nebraska for rent, ranking #9 out of 14 tracked cities at $1,337/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Grand Island?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Grand Island ($1,337/mo): Norfolk ($1,286/mo), Lexington ($1,319/mo).

What percentage of Grand Island residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42.2% of Grand Island households are renters, while 57.8% are owner-occupied. Grand Island leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Grand Island rent compare to the national average?

Grand Island's median rent of $1,337/mo is $628 (32%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Nebraska, it ranks #9 out of 14 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,337/mo, rent takes ~25% of Grand Island's median household income ($63,795/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Grand Island 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.46–5.84%
Run the Grand Island affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Grand Island
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Grand Island, NE

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