What is the cost of living in Grand Island, NE?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Grand Island has an overall cost of living index of 93, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Nebraska, Grand Island has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than Nebraska's index of 89.
The standard of living in Grand Island ranks as #19 most affordable out of the 34 places we measured in Nebraska. By definition, that implies Grand Island ranks as the #15 most expensive place in the Cornhusker State.
For more reading on life in Grand Island, check out:
Grand Island Cost Of Living Vs. Nebraska
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Grand Island. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Grand Island is 96.
The Groceries index in Grand Island is 96.
The Health index in Grand Island is 83.
The Housing index in Grand Island is 98.
The Transportation index in Grand Island is 97.
The Utilities index in Grand Island is 93.
| Living Expense | Grand Island | Nebraska | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 93 | 89 | 100 |
| Services | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 99 | 100 |
| Health | 83 | 77 | 100 |
| Housing | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 93 | 96 | 100 |
Grand Island Cost Of Living Compared To Nebraska Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Nebraska, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Grand Island Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Grand Island, NE Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Nebraska, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Grand Island is $252,574.
The Median Rent in Grand Island is $947.
The Median Income in Grand Island is $63,795.
The Home Value To Income in Grand Island is 4.0x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Grand Island is 0.18x.
| Statistic | Grand Island | Nebraska | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $252,574 | $276,499 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $947 | $1,072 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $63,795 | $76,475 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 4.0x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.18x | 0.17x | 0.21x |
Grand Island, NE Costs By Category
Detailed Grand Island Services costs vs. Nebraska
| Item | Grand Island | Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $0.98 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $9.1 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $11.33 | $18 |
| Haircut | $17.5 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $28.75 | $45.56 |
Detailed Grand Island Groceries costs vs. Nebraska
| Item | Grand Island | Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $6.66 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.41 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.49 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $4.49 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $11.34 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $9.34 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.67 | $3.7 |
Detailed Grand Island Health costs vs. Nebraska
| Item | Grand Island | Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $128.5 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $139.89 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $97.5 | $113.29 |
Detailed Grand Island Transportation costs vs. Nebraska
| Item | Grand Island | Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.36 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $55.44 | $59.92 |
Detailed Grand Island Utilities costs vs. Nebraska
| Item | Grand Island | Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $126.33 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $199.27 | $192.25 |
Grand Island SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Grand Island
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Grand Island. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Kearney, NE has a cost of living index of 100, 1.1x Grand Island.
Hastings, NE has a cost of living index of 90, 1.0x Grand Island.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Grand Island |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kearney, NE | 34,246 | 100 | 1.1x |
| Hastings, NE | 25,008 | 90 | 1.0x |
