What is the cost of living in Scottsbluff, NE?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Scottsbluff has an overall cost of living index of 93, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Nebraska, Scottsbluff has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than Nebraska's index of 89.
The standard of living in Scottsbluff ranks as #19 most affordable out of the 34 places we measured in Nebraska. By definition, that implies Scottsbluff ranks as the #15 most expensive place in the Cornhusker State.
For more reading on life in Scottsbluff, check out:
Scottsbluff Cost Of Living Vs. Nebraska
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Scottsbluff. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Scottsbluff is 103.
The Groceries index in Scottsbluff is 95.
The Health index in Scottsbluff is 71.
The Housing index in Scottsbluff is 102.
The Transportation index in Scottsbluff is 104.
The Utilities index in Scottsbluff is 103.
| Living Expense | Scottsbluff | Nebraska | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 93 | 89 | 100 |
| Services | 103 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 99 | 100 |
| Health | 71 | 77 | 100 |
| Housing | 102 | 99 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 96 | 100 |
Scottsbluff 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 Scottsbluff Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Scottsbluff, 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 Scottsbluff is $179,640.
The Median Rent in Scottsbluff is $966.
The Median Income in Scottsbluff is $56,359.
The Home Value To Income in Scottsbluff is 3.2x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Scottsbluff is 0.21x.
| Statistic | Scottsbluff | Nebraska | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $179,640 | $276,499 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $966 | $1,072 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $56,359 | $76,475 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 3.2x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.21x | 0.17x | 0.21x |
Scottsbluff, NE Costs By Category
Detailed Scottsbluff Services costs vs. Nebraska
| Item | Scottsbluff | Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.23 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $10.98 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $15.17 | $18 |
| Haircut | $28.69 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $33.98 | $45.56 |
Detailed Scottsbluff Groceries costs vs. Nebraska
| Item | Scottsbluff | Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $5.98 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.41 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.67 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $4.44 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $12.23 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $10.49 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.63 | $3.7 |
Detailed Scottsbluff Health costs vs. Nebraska
| Item | Scottsbluff | Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $191.47 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $140.63 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $107.16 | $113.29 |
Detailed Scottsbluff Transportation costs vs. Nebraska
| Item | Scottsbluff | Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.32 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $59.3 | $59.92 |
Detailed Scottsbluff Utilities costs vs. Nebraska
| Item | Scottsbluff | Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $154.32 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $187.74 | $192.25 |
Scottsbluff SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Scottsbluff
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Scottsbluff. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Gering, NE has a cost of living index of 94, 1.0x Scottsbluff.
Alliance, NE has a cost of living index of 92, 1.0x Scottsbluff.
Torrington, WY has a cost of living index of 93, 1.0x Scottsbluff.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Scottsbluff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gering, NE | 8,550 | 94 | 1.0x |
| Alliance, NE | 8,075 | 92 | 1.0x |
| Torrington, WY | 6,182 | 93 | 1.0x |
