3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Lincoln, NE
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Lincoln, Nebraska as of July 2026. That's +26% higher than the citywide median of $1,345 and +21% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Nebraska
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norfolk | $1,200 |
| 2 | Lexington | $1,210 |
| 3 | Columbus | $1,240 |
| 4 | Kearney | $1,265 |
| 5 | Fremont | $1,410 |
| 6 | Grand Island | $1,430 |
| 7 | Plattsmouth | $1,510 |
| 8 | Bellevue | $1,670 |
| 9 | Lincoln (this page) | $1,691 |
| 10 | La Vista | $1,790 |
| 11 | Omaha | $1,833 |
| 12 | Papillion | $1,970 |
| 13 | Gretna | $2,020 |
| 14 | Bennington | $2,090 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Nebraska
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bennington | $2,090 |
| 2 | Gretna | $2,020 |
| 3 | Papillion | $1,970 |
| 4 | Omaha | $1,833 |
| 5 | La Vista | $1,790 |
| 6 | Lincoln (this page) | $1,691 |
| 7 | Bellevue | $1,670 |
| 8 | Plattsmouth | $1,510 |
| 9 | Grand Island | $1,430 |
| 10 | Fremont | $1,410 |
| 11 | Kearney | $1,265 |
| 12 | Columbus | $1,240 |
| 13 | Lexington | $1,210 |
| 14 | Norfolk | $1,200 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Lincoln.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Lincoln |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gretna, NE | 35.2 mi | $2,020 | +$329 (+19%) |
| Fremont, NE | 45.5 mi | $1,410 | $-281 (-17%) |
| La Vista, NE | 49.2 mi | $1,790 | +$99 (+6%) |
| Papillion, NE | 49.5 mi | $1,970 | +$279 (+16%) |
| Bennington, NE | 51.1 mi | $2,090 | +$399 (+24%) |
| Omaha, NE | 51.5 mi | $1,833 | +$142 (+8%) |
| Plattsmouth, NE | 51.6 mi | $1,510 | $-181 (-11%) |
| Bellevue, NE | 56.3 mi | $1,670 | $-21 (-1%) |
| Council Bluffs, IA | 64.7 mi | $1,460 | $-231 (-14%) |
| Columbus, NE | 67.5 mi | $1,240 | $-451 (-27%) |
| Norfolk, NE | 99.6 mi | $1,200 | $-491 (-29%) |
| Manhattan, KS | 109.9 mi | $1,460 | $-231 (-14%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Lincoln — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Lincoln?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Lincoln, Nebraska is $1,691 per month. This is +26% higher than the citywide median of $1,345.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Lincoln?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $67,640 ($5,637/month gross), which works out to roughly $32.52/hour at a full-time job.
Is Lincoln expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Lincoln's 3-bedroom median of $1,691 is +21% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 27th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Lincoln rank for 3-bedroom rent in Nebraska?
Among the 14 cities in Nebraska with 3-bedroom data, Lincoln ranks #9 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Lincoln?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Fremont ($1,410), Plattsmouth ($1,510), Bellevue ($1,670).