A good salary in Nebraska provides solid purchasing power, especially in Omaha which offers a surprising number of Fortune 500 companies for its size.
Quick Answer
| Situation | Good Salary | Comfortable Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Single, Nebraska average | $48,000-$62,000 | $38,000-$48,000 |
| Single in Omaha | $52,000-$68,000 | $42,000-$52,000 |
| Single in Lincoln | $48,000-$62,000 | $38,000-$48,000 |
| Family of 4 | $78,000-$100,000 | $62,000-$78,000 |
Key advantage: Nebraska has affordable housing and a strong, diversified economy.
Why Nebraska Is Affordable
Nebraska benefits from:
- Low housing costs (median home price ~$245,000)
- Strong job market with Fortune 500 companies
- Low unemployment — consistently among lowest in US
- Central location keeps transportation costs reasonable
Note: Property taxes (1.61%) are above average.
Good Salary by Nebraska City
Omaha
Omaha is Nebraska’s largest city with headquarters for Berkshire Hathaway, Mutual of Omaha, Union Pacific, and more.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $35,000 | $58,000 |
| Comfortable | $48,000 | $78,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $65,000+ | $105,000+ |
Median home price: ~$290,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$1,100/month
Lincoln
Lincoln is the state capital and home to University of Nebraska.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $32,000 | $55,000 |
| Comfortable | $45,000 | $72,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $60,000+ | $95,000+ |
Median home price: ~$285,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$1,000/month
Grand Island
Grand Island offers affordable smaller-city living in central Nebraska.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $28,000 | $48,000 |
| Comfortable | $38,000 | $62,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $50,000+ | $82,000+ |
Median home price: ~$205,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$800/month
How Much House Can You Afford in Nebraska?
| Annual Salary | Max Home Price (28% rule) |
|---|---|
| $48,000 | $175,000-$195,000 |
| $62,000 | $230,000-$250,000 |
| $78,000 | $290,000-$320,000 |
| $100,000 | $380,000-$420,000 |
Nebraska vs. Other States
| State | $60K Salary Take-Home | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | $48,200 | 92 |
| Iowa | $48,500 | 90 |
| Kansas | $49,000 | 88 |
| South Dakota | $52,500 | 93 |
Nebraska’s income tax is moderate; property taxes are higher.
Nebraska State Income Tax
Nebraska has a graduated income tax with four brackets:
- $0-$3,700: 2.46%
- $3,701-$22,170: 3.51%
- $22,171-$35,730: 5.01%
- Over $35,730: 5.84%
The top rate of 5.84% is moderate, and recent reforms have lowered rates.
Top Industries in Nebraska
- Insurance/Finance (Berkshire Hathaway, Mutual of Omaha) — Average salary $70,000+
- Agriculture (beef, corn, soybeans) — Average salary $50,000+
- Transportation (Union Pacific) — Average salary $65,000+
- Healthcare (major hospital systems) — Average salary $60,000+
- Technology (growing sector) — Average salary $75,000+
- Manufacturing — Average salary $52,000+
Nebraska Fun Facts
- Warren Buffett lives in Omaha, where he’s lived since 1958
- Omaha has more restaurants per capita than San Francisco
- Nebraska has the lowest unemployment consistently
- Lincoln has one of the best downtowns for its size
Related Guides
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- What is a good salary in Kansas?
- How much house on $60K salary?
- US Income Percentile Calculator