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ZIP Code · NE

ZIP 68521

Part of Lincoln, NE
Pop. 37,050·Lancaster County·19th most expensive ZIP in Nebraska
Median rent (all units)
$1,479/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-2.3%
vs US Median
-$451
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 68521 · $1,479
More affordable than 74% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,930/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$970
1 BR
$1,050
2 BR
$1,290
3 BR
$1,790
4 BR+
$1,940
Research median
$1,290/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: May 18, 2026

Annual cost
$17,748/yr
At $1,479/mo median
Location
StateNE
CountyLancaster County
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 68521 (Lincoln, NE) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 33.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
37,050
Median income
$67,483
Median age
33
Renters
42.2%
Age distribution
25.2%
27.6%
25.6%
Under 1825.2%
18–3427.6%
35–5425.6%
55–6410.2%
65+11.4%
Gender
49.5%
50.5%
Male49.5%
Female50.5%
Race & ethnicity
74.3%
12.4%
White74.3%
Black4%
Hispanic12.4%
Asian7.4%
Other1.9%
Education (25+)
24.4%
30.9%
33.6%
No HS diploma11.2%
HS diploma24.4%
Some college30.9%
Bachelor's+33.6%
Housing tenure
57.8%
42.2%
Owner57.8%
Renter42.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 68521 in Lincoln, NE has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,118 → $1,479
up 32.3%
Income
$57,270 → $67,483
up 17.8%
Population
37,409 → 37,050
down 1.0%
Renter share
43.5% → 42.2%
-1.3 pts
Bachelor's+
32.6% → 33.6%
+1.0 pts
Median age
31.4 → 33
+1.6 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in ZIP 68521 in Lincoln, NE has climbed from $1,118 to $1,479, a 32.3% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $57,270 in 2021 to $67,483 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 1.0% since 2021, moving from about 37,409 residents to roughly 37,050. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the ZIP 68521 in Lincoln, NE market of 2021.

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 68521

Last updated: May 18, 2026

ZIP code 68521 covers Lincoln, NE. The median rent here is $1,479/mo as of May 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,050/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,290/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($67,483/yr), ZIP 68521 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 68521?

As of May 18, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 68521 (Lincoln, NE) is $1,479. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 68521 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 68521's median rent of $1,479/mo is $451 (23%) below the US national median of $1,930/mo.

How does ZIP 68521 compare to other ZIPs in Nebraska?

ZIP 68521 falls in the middle range for Nebraska, ranking #19 out of 51 ZIPs at $1,479/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 68521?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $59,000/year (~$28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,479/mo in ZIP 68521. The local median household income is $67,483/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 68521?

Rent in ZIP 68521 has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.1% change year over year as of May 18, 2026.

Is ZIP 68521 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 68521 is considered affordable for renters. At $1,479/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($67,483/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 68521 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 68521 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42.2% of ZIP 68521 households are renters, while 57.8% are owner-occupied. ZIP 68521 leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does ZIP 68521 compare to the rest of Lincoln?

ZIP 68521 is pricier than Lincoln as a whole. At $1,479/mo, it's $141 above the Lincoln citywide median of $1,338/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 68521 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 68521 reflects May 18, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,479/mo, rent takes ~26% of ZIP 68521's median household income ($67,483/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 68521 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.46–5.84%
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 68521 (Lincoln, NE)

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