| Index | Grand Island | Nebraska | National |
| Cost of living | 91 | 91 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 82 | 76 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 90 | 96 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Grand Island? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Grand Island stands at 91, making it 9% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
In Grand Island, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Grand Island will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 80 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Grand Island and this is how they responded. 49% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 51% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Wondering if Grand Island is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Grand Island, for example, the median home price is 17.4% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 19.5% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Grand Island boasting a median household income of $82,879, which is 1.9% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Grand Island, the groceries index is 4.6% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Grand Island, healthcare costs are 3.7% lower than the national average.
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.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Grand Island are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
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| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $109,387 | $9,116 | $2,552 | $3,282 |
| Renters | $55,778 | $4,648 | $1,301 | $1,674 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Nebraska | 5.5% | 7.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Nebraska | 2.46% | 6.64% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Dannebrog, NE | 270 | 82 | 18.4% |
| Chapman, NE | 284 | 83 | 16.9% |
| Alda, NE | 618 | 84 | 15.8% |
| Phillips, NE | 275 | 85 | 14.9% |
| Wood River, NE | 1,554 | 85 | 14.9% |
| Grand Island, NE | 53,008 | 91 | 8.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Burien, WA | 53,010 | 139 | 38.9% |
| Wheaton, MD | 53,031 | 137 | 37.0% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 53,047 | 112 | 11.5% |
| La Crosse, WI | 53,074 | 95 | 5.4% |
| Logan, UT | 53,108 | 104 | 3.9% |
| Grand Island, NE | 53,008 | 91 | 8.5% |
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