City Report · NE

Papillion

Pop. 25,244·3rd most expensive in Nebraska·Papillion rents are up 9.2% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,693/mo
Year-over-Year
+9.2%
Month-over-Month
+2.7%
vs US Median
-$272
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Papillion · $1,693
More affordable than 62% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
49/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Papillion's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$1,693/mo
Expected by trend
$1,688/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Papillion's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,160
1 BR
$1,230
2 BR
$1,480
3 BR
$1,970
4 BR+
$2,185
Research median
$1,480/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
$20,316/yr
At $1,693/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 9.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+9.2% YoY, +2.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Papillion, NE is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 47.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
25,244
Median income
$111,679
Median age
41.1
Renters
26.1%
Age distribution
21.4%
21.3%
25.7%
15.2%
16.5%
Under 1821.4%
18–3421.3%
35–5425.7%
55–6415.2%
65+16.5%
Gender
49.2%
50.8%
Male49.2%
Female50.8%
Race & ethnicity
85.5%
White85.5%
Black3.9%
Hispanic8.6%
Asian1.1%
Other0.9%
Education (25+)
17.4%
30.4%
47.9%
No HS diploma4.3%
HS diploma17.4%
Some college30.4%
Bachelor's+47.9%
Housing tenure
73.9%
26.1%
Owner73.9%
Renter26.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Papillion, NE has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,205 → $1,693
up 40.5%
Income
$95,293 → $111,679
up 17.2%
Population
23,875 → 25,244
up 5.7%
Renter share
27.4% → 26.1%
-1.3 pts
Bachelor's+
45.4% → 47.9%
+2.5 pts
Median age
39.2 → 41.1
+1.9 yrs

The median rent in Papillion, NE stood at $1,205 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,693, reflecting a 40.5% increase over the period. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $95,293 in 2021 to $111,679 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 5.7% since 2021, moving from about 23,875 residents to roughly 25,244. College-educated residents now make up 47.9% of adults here, versus 45.4% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Papillion, NE market of 2021.

Community

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View Papillion rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Papillion on your salary?

At $1,693/mo, how Papillion rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Papillion rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Papillion

About renting in Papillion, NE

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Papillion is $1,693/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,160/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,480/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,230/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,970/mo.

At 18% of local median household income ($111,679/yr), Papillion ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Papillion an affordable city for renters?

Papillion is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,693/mo, rent takes approximately 18% of the local median household income ($111,679/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Papillion falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Papillion?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $68,000/year (~$33/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,693/mo in Papillion. The local median household income is $111,679/yr, meaning the typical Papillion household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Papillion?

Rent in Papillion has increased 9.2% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Papillion neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Papillion are 68133 ($1,580/mo), and 68046 ($1,653/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Papillion is $1,693/mo.

How does Papillion rent compare to other cities in Nebraska?

Papillion is one of the pricier cities in Nebraska for rent, ranking #3 out of 14 tracked cities at $1,693/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Papillion?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Papillion ($1,693/mo): Plattsmouth ($1,276/mo), La Vista ($1,315/mo), Council Bluffs ($1,348/mo).

What percentage of Papillion residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 26.1% of Papillion households are renters, while 73.9% are owner-occupied. Papillion leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Papillion rent compare to the national average?

Papillion's median rent of $1,693/mo is $272 (14%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Nebraska, it ranks #3 out of 14 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
18%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,693/mo, rent takes ~18% of Papillion's median household income ($111,679/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Papillion 18%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.46–5.84%
Run the Papillion affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Papillion
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Papillion, NE

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