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City Report · NE

Scottsbluff

Pop. 14,376·15th most expensive in Nebraska·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$938/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+11.5%
vs US Median
-$1,027
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Scottsbluff · $938
More affordable than 99% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
20% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $938/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$38,000/yr
Local median income
$56,359/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Scottsbluff's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$660
1 BR
$780
2 BR
$960
3 BR
$1,350
4 BR+
$1,400
Research median
$960/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: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$11,256/yr
At $938/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +11.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Scottsbluff, NE is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 26.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
14,376
Median income
$56,359
Median age
38.8
Renters
40.6%
Age distribution
24.2%
21.1%
23.4%
21%
Under 1824.2%
18–3421.1%
35–5423.4%
55–6410.3%
65+21%
Gender
46.6%
53.4%
Male46.6%
Female53.4%
Race & ethnicity
70.3%
30.7%
White70.3%
Hispanic30.7%
Asian0.5%
Education (25+)
27%
38.1%
26.3%
No HS diploma8.6%
HS diploma27%
Some college38.1%
Bachelor's+26.3%
Housing tenure
59.4%
40.6%
Owner59.4%
Renter40.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Scottsbluff, NE has changed in 5 years

Income
$50,788 → $56,359
up 11.0%
Population
14,511 → 14,376
down 0.9%
Renter share
43.4% → 40.6%
-2.8 pts
Bachelor's+
26.7% → 26.3%
-0.4 pts
Median age
35 → 38.8
+3.8 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Scottsbluff, NE now reports about $56,359, up from $50,788 in 2021. The renter share has eased from 43.4% to 40.6%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Scottsbluff on your salary?

At $938/mo, how Scottsbluff rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Scottsbluff rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Scottsbluff

About renting in Scottsbluff, NE

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The median rent in Scottsbluff is $938/mo as of June 2026. A studio apartment averages $660/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $960/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $780/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,350/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($56,359/yr), Scottsbluff ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Scottsbluff an affordable city for renters?

Scottsbluff is considered very affordable for renters. At $938/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($56,359/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Scottsbluff falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Scottsbluff?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $38,000/year (~$18/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $938/mo in Scottsbluff. The local median household income is $56,359/yr, meaning the typical Scottsbluff household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Scottsbluff?

Rent in Scottsbluff has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of June 2026.

How does Scottsbluff rent compare to other cities in Nebraska?

Scottsbluff is one of the more affordable cities in Nebraska for rent, ranking #15 out of 15 tracked cities at $938/mo.

What percentage of Scottsbluff residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.6% of Scottsbluff households are renters, while 59.4% are owner-occupied. Scottsbluff leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Scottsbluff rent compare to the national average?

Scottsbluff's median rent of $938/mo is $1,027 (52%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Nebraska, it ranks #15 out of 15 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $938/mo, rent takes ~20% of Scottsbluff's median household income ($56,359/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Scottsbluff 20%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.46–5.84%
Run the Scottsbluff affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Scottsbluff, NE

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