Nebraska · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Douglas County, NE

The median household in Douglas County, NE earns $80,391 a year ($6,699/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,368/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $54,720 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 8.1% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$80,391$6,699 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,368HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)91.9-8.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate13.3¢per kWh · EIA Residential NE
Census Population590,736Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Douglas County, NE

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,368Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$54,720To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,010At 30% of $80,391
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Douglas County, NE

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Douglas County, NE
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,090$13,080$43,60016.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,148$13,776$45,92017.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,368$16,416$54,72020.4%
3-Bedroom Home$1,813$21,756$72,52027.1%
4-Bedroom Home$2,046$24,552$81,84030.5%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Douglas County, NE →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Douglas County, NE

Based on the local median household income of $80,391/year ($6,699/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,350/moRent ($1,368 2-BR), utilities (~$119/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,010/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 91.9 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,340/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Nebraska

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Nebraska state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$80,391
$30,000$165,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$80,391
Net 78%
Fed 11%
NE 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$62,607After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,217Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,408Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate22.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$8,856 / yr
Nebraska state income tax$2,778 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,150 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Nebraska with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Douglas County, NE

What is the median household income in Douglas County, NE?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Douglas County, NE is $80,391 per year (approximately $6,699 per month).

What is the average rent in Douglas County, NE?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Douglas County, NE are $1,090 for a studio, $1,148 for 1 bedroom, $1,368 for 2 bedrooms, $1,813 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,046 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Douglas County, NE compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Douglas County, NE is 91.9 (8.1% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Douglas County, NE?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,368/month) in Douglas County, NE requires a minimum gross household income of $54,720 per year ($4,560 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Douglas County, NE?

For a typical household earning the median income of $80,391/year ($6,699/month) in Douglas County, NE, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,350/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,010/month to discretionary spending, and $1,340/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Douglas County, NE?

Residential electricity rates in Nebraska average 13.3¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $119 per month.