Cost of Living in Grand Island, NE
Grand Island, NE — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Grand Island, NE to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Prices in Grand Island, NE vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 86.7 | −13.3% |
| Housing | 61.7 | −38.3% |
| Goods | 94.1 | −5.9% |
| Utilities | 74.2 | −25.8% |
| Other services | 93.0 | −7.0% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Grand Island, NE
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $839 | $33,560/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $948 | $37,920/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,176 | $47,040/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,486 | $59,440/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,914 | $76,560/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Grand Island, NE
- Federal income tax$3,749
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,063
- Medicare (1.45%)$716
- Nebraska income tax$1,369
- Take-home pay$40,512
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.55% state
Highest-paying jobs in Grand Island, NE
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,590 | $64,054 | $73,916 |
| General and Operations Manager | $79,520 | $62,034 | $71,585 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver | $60,810 | $49,154 | $56,722 |
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $55,740 | $45,310 | $52,287 |
| Cleaner of Vehicles and Equipment | $50,320 | $41,202 | $47,546 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,740 | $40,762 | $47,039 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $46,610 | $38,390 | $44,301 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $44,450 | $36,753 | $42,412 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,370 | $36,692 | $42,342 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,880 | $32,531 | $37,539 |
| Stocker and Order Filler | $34,650 | $29,324 | $33,839 |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,830 | $26,400 | $30,465 |
| Cashier | $30,050 | $25,800 | $29,773 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $29,840 | $25,639 | $29,587 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $29,150 | $25,109 | $28,975 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $28,080 | $24,278 | $28,017 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Grand Island, NE expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Grand Island, NE metro area are 86.7% of the U.S. average, with housing at 61.7%. It is the #358 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Grand Island, NE?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $51,994 in Grand Island, NE (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $49,410.
How much is rent in Grand Island, NE?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Grand Island, NE are $839 for a studio, $948 for one bedroom, $1,176 for two bedrooms and $1,486 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Grand Island, NE
Management Occupations
- General and Operations Manager — $79,520
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $82,590
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Nursing Assistant — $38,880
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Waiter and Waitress — $29,840
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,150
Sales and Related Occupations
- Retail Salesperson — $30,830
- Cashier — $30,050
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $46,610
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $44,450
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $55,740
Production Occupations
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $60,810
- Cleaner of Vehicles and Equipment — $50,320
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $44,370
- Stocker and Order Filler — $34,650