Cost of Living in Broken Bow, NE
Population 3,524 · Nebraska · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Broken Bow sits on the smaller end of the Nebraska city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.
Located 160 miles west of Lincoln, Broken Bow is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 50% lower than Lincoln's $248,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Broken Bow
The median home value in Broken Bow is $124,600 — 59% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $826/month, 37% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $56,438/year is 24% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.8%, above 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, Broken Bow has a cost of living index of 50 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 50% less expensive.
Broken Bow has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Broken Bow, NE?
Broken Bow has a cost index of 50 (100 = national average). It is 50% below the national average.
What is average rent in Broken Bow, NE?
The median gross rent in Broken Bow is $826 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Broken Bow?
The median home value in Broken Bow is $124,600 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Broken Bow?
The median household income in Broken Bow is $56,438 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Broken Bow, NE?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Broken Bow is 6.9%. The Nebraska state income tax top rate is 5.8%.
Is Broken Bow, NE affordable?
Yes, Broken Bow is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 50 — about 50% below the US national average of 100.
Broken Bow at a Glance
- Population
- 3,524
- Median Income
- $56,438
- Home Value
- $124,600
- Median Rent
- $826/mo
- Unemployment
- 5.8%
- Sales Tax
- 6.9%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Nebraska Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
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