salaryGrand Island is the 4th-largest city in Nebraska that we track, with 52,884 residents. Rent is lower than in 83% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.2 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 16.9 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $42,920 a year. That is $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Nebraska cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Nebraska. It is number 17 of 34 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Grand Island?
Share of households by yearly income. 18.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Grand Island
| Size | Grand Island | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $829 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $867 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,140 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,304 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,521 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Grand Island overall?
Everyday prices in the Grand Island metro area are 13% below the U.S. average (index 86.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Grand Island
Life in Grand Island
What jobs pay in Grand Island
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $141,590 | 9.1% |
| Pharmacist | $134,520 | 9.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,690 | 10.2% |
| Lawyer | $103,150 | 12.5% |
| Software Developer | $96,260 | 13.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $90,910 | 14.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $85,660 | 15.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $82,590 | 15.6% |
| Operations Manager | $79,520 | 16.2% |
| Police Officer | $73,710 | 17.5% |
| Accountant | $68,090 | 18.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $64,530 | 20.0% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,090 | 21.1% |
| Truck Driver | $60,810 | 21.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,070 | 22.2% |
| Plumber | $55,850 | 23.1% |
| Electrician | $52,470 | 24.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $51,980 | 24.8% |
| Carpenter | $48,350 | 26.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,070 | 28.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,370 | 29.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $40,370 | 31.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,880 | 33.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,500 | 35.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,830 | 41.8% |
| Cashier | $30,050 | 42.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $29,840 | 43.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Grand Island?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $444 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $218,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $21,860 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Grand Island, NE?
Renting in Grand Island costs a median of about $1,073 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Nebraska median is $1,096.
How much do I need to make to live in Grand Island?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $42,920 a year, or $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Grand Island cheap or expensive?
Grand Island is rated Cheap: rent takes 18.7% of the typical household income of $68,803. It ranks 17th cheapest of 34 Nebraska cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Grand Island?
The median homeowner in Grand Island pays $3,138 a year in property taxes, about 1.44% of the median home value.
Is Grand Island more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 13% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Grand Island?
The median home value in Grand Island is $218,600, about 3.2 times the typical yearly household income.
52,884 people live in Grand Island. Numbers are typical (middle) values.