Studio Apartment Rent in Lincoln, NE
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Lincoln, Nebraska as of July 2026. That's +35% lower than the citywide median of $1,345 and +32% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Lincoln
Compare Lincoln's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Nebraska
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus | $650 |
| 2 | Norfolk | $650 |
| 3 | Kearney | $655 |
| 4 | Lexington | $660 |
| 5 | Grand Island | $770 |
| 6 | Fremont | $810 |
| 7 | Lincoln (this page) | $872 |
| 8 | Plattsmouth | $890 |
| 9 | Bellevue | $985 |
| 10 | La Vista | $1,060 |
| 11 | Omaha | $1,082 |
| 12 | Papillion | $1,160 |
| 13 | Gretna | $1,190 |
| 14 | Bennington | $1,230 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Nebraska
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bennington | $1,230 |
| 2 | Gretna | $1,190 |
| 3 | Papillion | $1,160 |
| 4 | Omaha | $1,082 |
| 5 | La Vista | $1,060 |
| 6 | Bellevue | $985 |
| 7 | Plattsmouth | $890 |
| 8 | Lincoln (this page) | $872 |
| 9 | Fremont | $810 |
| 10 | Grand Island | $770 |
| 11 | Lexington | $660 |
| 12 | Kearney | $655 |
| 13 | Norfolk | $650 |
| 14 | Columbus | $650 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Lincoln.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Lincoln |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gretna, NE | 35.2 mi | $1,190 | +$318 (+36%) |
| Fremont, NE | 45.5 mi | $810 | $-62 (-7%) |
| La Vista, NE | 49.2 mi | $1,060 | +$188 (+22%) |
| Papillion, NE | 49.5 mi | $1,160 | +$288 (+33%) |
| Bennington, NE | 51.1 mi | $1,230 | +$358 (+41%) |
| Omaha, NE | 51.5 mi | $1,082 | +$210 (+24%) |
| Plattsmouth, NE | 51.6 mi | $890 | +$18 (+2%) |
| Bellevue, NE | 56.3 mi | $985 | +$113 (+13%) |
| Council Bluffs, IA | 64.7 mi | $865 | $-7 (-1%) |
| Columbus, NE | 67.5 mi | $650 | $-222 (-25%) |
| Norfolk, NE | 99.6 mi | $650 | $-222 (-25%) |
| Manhattan, KS | 109.9 mi | $870 | $-2 (0%) |
Studio rent in Lincoln — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Lincoln?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Lincoln, Nebraska is $872 per month. This is +35% below the citywide median of $1,345.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Lincoln?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $34,880 ($2,907/month gross), which works out to roughly $16.77/hour at a full-time job.
Is Lincoln expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Lincoln's studio median of $872 is +32% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 16th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Lincoln rank for studio rent in Nebraska?
Among the 14 cities in Nebraska with studio data, Lincoln ranks #7 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Lincoln?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Fremont ($810), Council Bluffs ($865), Columbus ($650).