Cost of living in Grand Island, NE
78,076 people (Census 2025 estimate). Overall prices are 13.3% below the US average, with housing at 61.7 on BEA’s index (US = 100). A single renter on $60,000 keeps $1,533 a month after 2026 taxes and modeled costs.
Typical household budgets in Grand Island, NE
Computed by MoveMath’s engine with 2026 tax law, HUD Fair Market Rent for the bedrooms each household needs, DOL 2022 childcare prices for Hall County, NE in current dollars, USDA Moderate-Cost food, one car per adult and $1,000 a month of other spending at US-average prices scaled by local price levels.
| Per month | Single, $60k | Couple + toddler, $110k | Family of four, $69,704 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,000 | $9,167 | $5,809 |
| Taxes | $955 | $1,510 | $533 |
| Take-home pay | $4,045 | $7,656 | $5,276 |
| Housing | $972 | $1,210 | $1,210 |
| Childcare | $0 | $940 | $1,695 |
| Food | $415 | $930 | $1,207 |
| Transportation | $164 | $329 | $329 |
| Sales tax | $26 | $26 | $26 |
| Other goods & services | $935 | $935 | $935 |
| Left over | $1,533 | $3,286 | −$126 |
Family of four = two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child at the metro’s median household income ($69,704). Click a column to open it in the budget planner and change any input.
Price levels: Grand Island, NE vs Nebraska and the US
BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024. 100 = US average; bars compare the metro (dark) with Nebraska statewide (light).
Within Nebraska, Grand Island, NE ranks 3rd of 3 metros on overall prices; the state as a whole is at 90.1. The dashed line marks the US average.
Rent and homeownership
| Unit | HUD Fair Market Rent | Income needed at 30% | Share of median income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $902 | $36,080 | 15.5% |
| 1-bedroom | $972 | $38,880 | 16.7% |
| 2-bedroom | $1,210 | $48,400 | 20.8% |
| 3-bedroom | $1,505 | $60,200 | 25.9% |
| 4-bedroom | $1,928 | $77,120 | 33.2% |
FY2027 FMRs for Hall County, NE HUD Metro FMR Area: 40th-percentile gross rent (rent + tenant-paid utilities) for standard-quality units. Census median gross rent, all unit sizes: $929 (ACS 2020-2024).
Childcare prices in Hall County, NE
| Age band | Center, weekly (2022) | Center, yearly today* | Home-based, weekly (2022) | Home-based, yearly today* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (under 2) | $187 | $11,903 | $108 | $6,833 |
| Toddler (2) | $178 | $11,283 | $113 | $7,151 |
| Preschool (3–4) | $163 | $10,329 | $115 | $7,310 |
| School-age (5–12) | $158 | $10,011 | $118 | $7,469 |
DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022 county medians for full-time care in Hall County, NE (the metro’s principal county). *52 weeks × 1.2224, the BLS CPI change for day care and preschool from the 2022 average to 2026-08.
Taxes: what you keep in Grand Island
| Single filer, 2026 | $50,000 | $75,000 | $120,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $3,820 | $7,670 | $17,570 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $3,825 | $5,738 | $9,180 |
| Nebraska income tax | $1,395 | $2,533 | $4,580 |
| Take-home pay / month | $3,413 | $4,922 | $7,389 |
| Share of pay to taxes | 18.1% | 21.3% | 26.1% |
No mandatory local income tax for residents of Grand Island in our data. State sales tax: 5.5% (state rate only; local rates add on), groceries exempt.
Calculate take-home pay for your household in Grand Island, NE
Energy and fuel
EIA: electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05. Renters’ utilities are already inside gross rent.
Nearby metros
| Metro | Distance | Price level | 2-BR FMR | Single $60k left over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island, NE | — | 86.7 | $1,210 | $1,533 |
| Lincoln, NE · compare | 88 mi | 91.6 | $1,230 | $1,496 (−$37) |
| Omaha, NE-IA · compare | 122 mi | 91.9 | $1,450 | $1,286 (−$247) |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD · compare | 149 mi | 86.5 | $1,194 | $1,555 (+$22) |
| Manhattan, KS · compare | 151 mi | 90.2 | $1,107 | $1,514 (−$18) |
| Topeka, KS · compare | 192 mi | 88.8 | $1,172 | $1,525 (−$7) |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN · compare | 199 mi | 90.6 | $1,228 | $1,596 (+$63) |
Frequently asked questions
Is Grand Island, NE expensive to live in?+
BEA’s Regional Price Parities put overall prices in the Grand Island, NE metro at 86.7 (US = 100) in 2024 — 13.3% below the national average and the 358th highest of 387 metros. Housing is 61.7, goods 94.1.
What salary do you need to live in Grand Island, NE?+
A single renter earning $60,000 keeps $4,045 a month after 2026 taxes and has $1,533 left after rent at HUD Fair Market Rent, food, fuel, sales tax and other modeled costs. Use the cost of living calculator to find the salary that matches your current budget.
How much is rent in Grand Island, NE?+
HUD’s FY2027 Fair Market Rent — the 40th-percentile gross rent including utilities — is $972 for a 1-bedroom and $1,210 for a 2-bedroom. The Census median gross rent for all units is $929.
Does Grand Island have a local income tax?+
No mandatory local income tax applies to residents of Grand Island in our 2026 data. Nebraska state income tax does apply.