A+
12%
Overall NAT. AVG.
10%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
19%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Grand Island Nebraska National
Cost of living8889100
Goods & Services9096100
Groceries9396100
Health care9798100
Housing8176100
Transportation96100100
Utilities8086100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Grand Island, NE

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Grand Island is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Grand Island is 88, which is 12% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Grand Island?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 72 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Grand Island. The feedback revealed that 44% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 56% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Grand Island Affordable?

Is Grand Island an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Grand Island, the median home price is 19.8% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 17.8% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Grand Island come in at $56,513, which is 2.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Grand Island?

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Grand Island, the housing index is 19.2% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Grand Island cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

New Real Estate Listings in Grand Island Area
Search Homes for Sale in Grand Island, NE

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Grand Island is 2% lower than the Nebraska average
  • The cost of living in Grand Island is 12% lower than the national average
  • Grand Island housing is 19% lower than the national average
  • Nebraska general sales tax is 8% higher than the national average
  • Nebraska state income tax is 5% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Grand Island

See all the best places to live around Grand Island

Compare Grand Island, NE Cost of Living

      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Grand Island?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Grand Island?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Grand Island poll results

      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$72,910$6,076$1,701$2,188
      Renters$36,814$3,068$859$1,105
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Grand Island, NE, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Grand Island, the median monthly income is $72,910 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,701 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $36,814, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $859 on monthly rental expenses.

      Nebraska Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Nebraska 5.5% 7.5%

      Nebraska Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Nebraska 2.46% 6.64%

      Goods & Services

      Item Grand Island National avg. Difference
      Haircut $17.50$24.2627.9%
      Beauty Salon $28.75$45.5636.9%
      Toothpaste $3.67$3.701.0%
      Shampoo $0.98$1.2823.5%
      Movie $9.10$12.1325.0%
      Bowling $11.33$18.0037.0%

      Groceries

      Item Grand Island National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.66$5.8414.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.4%
      Milk $4.49$4.674.0%
      Potatoes $4.49$4.939.1%
      Pizza $11.34$12.096.2%
      Beer $9.34$10.4110.3%

      Health Care

      Item Grand Island National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $128.50$125.682.2%
      Doctor $139.89$135.783.0%
      Dentist $97.50$113.2913.9%
      Ibuprofen $10.22$10.654.0%
      Lipitor $518.77$468.6010.7%

      Housing

      Item Grand Island National avg. Difference
      Home Price $148,200.00$184,700.0019.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,926.53$2,346.6917.9%
      Apartment Rent $780.00$949.0017.8%

      Transportation

      Item Grand Island National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.36$3.462.9%
      Tire Balancing $55.44$59.927.5%

      Utilities

      Item Grand Island National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $126.33$193.9934.9%
      Phone $199.27$192.253.7%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Dannebrog, NE2647822.1%
      Chapman, NE2758020.4%
      Alda, NE5978019.6%
      Wood River, NE1,5038118.8%
      Phillips, NE2658118.5%
      Grand Island, NE51,2508812.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Wylie, TX51,25112121.5%
      Levittown, NY51,26614646.5%
      Logan, UT51,2661011.4%
      Florissant, MO51,2208712.8%
      Wheaton, MD51,19113635.6%
      Grand Island, NE51,2508812.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.