No matter where in the country you live, you probably spend a big chunk of your paycheck on rent. The average rental in the U.S. costs $1,665 per month, according to Apartments.com, and climbs as high as $2,423 per month for a three-bedroom unit. Fortunately for Nebraskans, the average cost of rent in Nebraska is quite a bit lower—$1,118 a month.
Whether you’re considering a move to Nebraska or already living here and looking for a new place, it helps to know what rentals are available within your budget. Keep reading to learn more about Nebraska’s rental market, including the most and least affordable cities and average monthly rental costs in six areas across the state.
What’s the average rent in Nebraska?
As of September 2026, the average rental price in Nebraska is $1,119 per month, according to Apartments.com. Here is a closer look at the average rent broken down by apartment size in the Cornhusker State:
- Studio: $1,018 per month; 526 square feet
- One bedroom: $1,119 per month; 731 square feet
- Two bedroom: $1,397 per month; 1,047 square feet
- Three bedroom: $1,732 per month; 1,343 square feet
How much has rent changed in Nebraska in the past year?
Unlike many other states across the country, the cost of rent in Nebraska is decreasing. According to Zillow, rent in the state has gone down $45 in the last year. In the last month alone, it has decreased by $24.
What are the most expensive rental cities in Nebraska?
Southern Nebraska is home to the state’s most expensive cities to rent.
In Hastings, a 582-square-foot apartment will run you about $1,146 per month. In Kearney, you get a little more space (about 708 square feet, on average) for a bit more money ($1,181 per month). In Nebraska’s most expensive city for renters, Papillion, you can expect to pay about $1,297 for approximately 820 square feet.
What are the most affordable rental cities in Nebraska?
Nebraska’s most affordable cities for renters are scattered throughout the Eastern part of the state.
In the northeast, Norfolk stands out as one of the cheapest areas, with an average monthly price of $1,019 for about 717 square feet. A bit further south, you can expect to pay about $1,054 per month for around 741 square feet in Bellevue. Finally, in Lincoln, average rents hover around $1,088 per month for an apartment that’s about 721 square feet.
Here’s a quick look at average rental price, size, and amenities in six cities across Nebraska:
Grand Island
If you’re looking for a rental in Grand Island for $1,100, you’ll be happy to know the average monthly rent in the central Nebraska city comes in just under that, by about $6.
During our search, we came across 39 Zillow listings for apartments you can rent for $1,100 or less a month. Most of the available units are one- or two-bedroom, with a few studios available too. Many of the listings are residential conversions, but those units located in larger apartment complexes often boasted amenities like private patios or balconies, in-unit laundry, and garage access.
Average rent: $1,094 per month
Average apartment size: 739 square feet
Papillion
The average monthly rent in Papillion is a bit above $1,100, which isn’t too shocking considering it’s widely considered one of the best places to live in Nebraska. Even so, you can still find a rental with a $1,100-per-month budget. At the time of writing, Zillow listed 14 units available for that price or less.
Most of the units were one-bedroom apartments, but there was also a two-bedroom rental with a parking space and shared laundry. Many of the one-bedroom units had older kitchen appliances and finishes, but a few were located in complexes with a pool.
Average rent: $1,297 per month
Average apartment size: 820 square feet
Omaha
Omaha has also earned recognition for being one of the best places to live (not just in Nebraska, but in the entire country), and its affordability is part of the reason why. With an $1,100 budget in Omaha—right around average for the city—you have plenty of rental options. During our research, we found 1,193 listings for that price or cheaper on Zillow.
Most of the available options were one-bedroom apartments; however, there were some two-bedroom and studio units as well. Many units, especially the studios, featured modern finishes and amenities like in-unit laundry, fitness centers, community lounges, and pools.
Average rent: $1,116 per month
Average apartment size: 731 square feet
Norfolk
As an affordable, mid-sized community, Norfolk is becoming an increasingly popular place to live. It was even listed as one of the best places in the US to escape the rat race.
The average rent in Norfolk sits just below $1,100, but inventory is limited (about 19 units at the time of writing). The majority of the apartments we came across were two-bedroom, though some one-bedroom and studios were also available.
Of the two-bedroom options we looked at, many had dated appliances and laundry on-site but not in the unit. If updated appliances and higher-end amenities are important to you, you’ll probably have to sacrifice space and settle for a studio.
Average rent: $1,019 per month
Average apartment size: 717 square feet
Bellevue
Bellevue is the third-largest city in Nebraska, though it’s often considered a (very popular) suburb of the Omaha metropolitan area.
Your rental selection in Bellevue is a bit larger than in Norfolk, with about 89 units on Zillow listed at $1,100 or less per month. The split between studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units was fairly even, and we even found a small one-bedroom house for rent.
You’re more likely to find updated finishes and amenities like a pool or in-unit laundry here than in Norfolk.
Average rent: $1,054 per month
Average apartment size: 741 square feet
Lincoln
Rent in the capital city averages just below $1,100, at $1,088 per month. At that price point, we found 671 rentals on Zillow—a good mix of studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units, plus a couple of three-bedroom units and small houses.
Plenty of the studios and one-bedroom units featured updated kitchens and bathrooms, plus modern amenities like pools, in-unit laundry, and fitness centers.
Average rent: $1,088 per month
Average apartment size: 721 square feet
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
