1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Lincoln, NE
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Lincoln, Nebraska as of July 2026. That's +28% lower than the citywide median of $1,345 and +30% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Lincoln
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Lincoln
Compare Lincoln's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Nebraska
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus | $720 |
| 2 | Norfolk | $730 |
| 3 | Kearney | $785 |
| 4 | Lexington | $870 |
| 5 | Fremont | $880 |
| 6 | Grand Island | $920 |
| 7 | Plattsmouth | $950 |
| 8 | Lincoln (this page) | $975 |
| 9 | Bellevue | $1,045 |
| 10 | La Vista | $1,130 |
| 11 | Omaha | $1,151 |
| 12 | Papillion | $1,230 |
| 13 | Gretna | $1,270 |
| 14 | Bennington | $1,310 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Nebraska
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bennington | $1,310 |
| 2 | Gretna | $1,270 |
| 3 | Papillion | $1,230 |
| 4 | Omaha | $1,151 |
| 5 | La Vista | $1,130 |
| 6 | Bellevue | $1,045 |
| 7 | Lincoln (this page) | $975 |
| 8 | Plattsmouth | $950 |
| 9 | Grand Island | $920 |
| 10 | Fremont | $880 |
| 11 | Lexington | $870 |
| 12 | Kearney | $785 |
| 13 | Norfolk | $730 |
| 14 | Columbus | $720 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Lincoln.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Lincoln |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gretna, NE | 35.2 mi | $1,270 | +$295 (+30%) |
| Fremont, NE | 45.5 mi | $880 | $-95 (-10%) |
| La Vista, NE | 49.2 mi | $1,130 | +$155 (+16%) |
| Papillion, NE | 49.5 mi | $1,230 | +$255 (+26%) |
| Bennington, NE | 51.1 mi | $1,310 | +$335 (+34%) |
| Omaha, NE | 51.5 mi | $1,151 | +$176 (+18%) |
| Plattsmouth, NE | 51.6 mi | $950 | $-25 (-3%) |
| Bellevue, NE | 56.3 mi | $1,045 | +$70 (+7%) |
| Council Bluffs, IA | 64.7 mi | $920 | $-55 (-6%) |
| Columbus, NE | 67.5 mi | $720 | $-255 (-26%) |
| Norfolk, NE | 99.6 mi | $730 | $-245 (-25%) |
| Manhattan, KS | 109.9 mi | $875 | $-100 (-10%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Lincoln — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Lincoln?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Lincoln, Nebraska is $975 per month. This is +28% below the citywide median of $1,345.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Lincoln?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $39,000 ($3,250/month gross), which works out to roughly $18.75/hour at a full-time job.
Is Lincoln expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Lincoln's 1-bedroom median of $975 is +30% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 19th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Lincoln rank for 1-bedroom rent in Nebraska?
Among the 14 cities in Nebraska with 1-bedroom data, Lincoln ranks #8 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Lincoln?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Fremont ($880), Plattsmouth ($950), Council Bluffs ($920).