Most rent-burdened cities in Nebraska
Cities in Nebraska ranked by highest rent as a percentage of median household income. Cities with 15,000+ residents.
Key findings
- Kearney ranks first, with rent at 29.0% of median household income.
- Across all 10 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,389/mo.
Data as of September 2026. Twelve months of median rent as a share of Census median household income (5-year estimates). Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)
Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordableMost expensiveRent fallingRent risingBest rent/incomeMost rent-burdenedRecord-high rentSeasonal swingsRent vs. income
10 cities
| Rank | City | Rent/income | Median rent | Income | Vs. a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | KearneyNE | 29.0% | $1,686/mo | $69,724 | same |
| 02 | ColumbusNE | 26.1% | $1,406/mo | $64,626 | -- |
| 03 | NorfolkNE | 25.4% | $1,247/mo | $58,884 | ↓1 from #2 |
| 04 | Grand IslandNE | 25.2% | $1,342/mo | $63,795 | ↓1 from #3 |
| 05 | OmahaNE | 22.8% | $1,389/mo | $73,201 | ↓1 from #4 |
| 06 | LincolnNE | 21.3% | $1,278/mo | $71,867 | ↓1 from #5 |
| 07 | FremontNE | 20.5% | $1,213/mo | $71,152 | same |
| 08 | La VistaNE | 20.2% | $1,378/mo | $81,961 | same |
| 09 | BellevueNE | 19.7% | $1,401/mo | $85,462 | ↓3 from #6 |
| 10 | PapillionNE | 17.8% | $1,659/mo | $111,679 | ↓1 from #9 |