Cost of Living in Blair, NE

Population 7,868 · Nebraska · Data vintage 2023

70
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Blair stay well under national norms: a median home value of $211,000 against median household incomes of $76,292 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Nebraska. An unemployment rate of 2.8% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Blair sits roughly 20 miles north of Omaha — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 8% lower than Omaha's $230,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 69
Rent 72

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Blair

The median home value in Blair is $211,000 — 31% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $941/month, 28% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $76,292/year is 2% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.8%, below the national average of 4.8%. Nebraska's top state income tax rate is 5.8% and the combined sales tax is 6.9%. Overall, Blair has a cost of living index of 70 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 30% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$211,000
31% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$348,783
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$941/mo
28% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$622
1 BR
$703
2 BR
$907
3 BR
$1,155
4 BR
$1,220
Owner-occupied 73.9%
Renter-occupied 26.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$941
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,555/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
22.9 min
15% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
85.8%
Carpooled
5.5%
Walked
0.5%
Work from home
7.8%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.8%
Total Sales Tax 6.9%
State rate 5.5%
Avg local rate 1.4%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$76,292
2% above avg
Per Capita Income
$38,289
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
42% below avg
Poverty Rate
9.7%
Labor Force Participation
66.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 25.5%
Graduate degree 11.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.2
Male median age 38.6
Female median age 43.2

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 33 — Good
71.7%
Good air days/yr
154
Max AQI recorded
360
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
2,305
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Blair, NE?

Blair has a cost index of 70 (100 = national average). It is 30% below the national average.

What is average rent in Blair, NE?

The median gross rent in Blair is $941 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Blair?

The median home value in Blair is $211,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Blair?

The median household income in Blair is $76,292 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Blair, NE?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Blair is 6.9%. The Nebraska state income tax top rate is 5.8%.

Is Blair, NE affordable?

Yes, Blair is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 70 — about 30% below the US national average of 100.

Blair at a Glance

Population
7,868
Median Income
$76,292
Home Value
$211,000
Median Rent
$941/mo
Unemployment
2.8%
Sales Tax
6.9%
View all cities in Nebraska →
🗺️ County data for Nebraska

Explore county-level cost of living data

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