Cost of Living in Cozad, NE

Population 3,944 · Nebraska · Data vintage 2023

48
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Cozad 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. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.1% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Cozad lies roughly 175 miles west of the nearest major metro, Lincoln — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 52% lower than Lincoln's $248,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 39
Rent 62

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

About the Cost of Living in Cozad

The median home value in Cozad is $118,600 — 61% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $820/month, 38% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $50,161/year is 33% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.1%, 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, Cozad has a cost of living index of 48 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 52% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$118,600
61% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$306,528
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$820/mo
38% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.1x
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 64.7%
Renter-occupied 35.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$820
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,434/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
20.1 min
26% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
1.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
89.0%
Carpooled
7.8%
Work from home
1.6%

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
$50,161
33% below avg
Per Capita Income
$66,696
Unemployment Rate
1.1%
78% below avg
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Labor Force Participation
65.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.9%
Graduate degree 2.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.7
Male median age 44.8
Female median age 41.6

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

87%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
951
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Cozad, NE?

Cozad has a cost index of 48 (100 = national average). It is 52% below the national average.

What is average rent in Cozad, NE?

The median gross rent in Cozad is $820 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Cozad?

The median home value in Cozad is $118,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Cozad?

The median household income in Cozad is $50,161 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Cozad, NE?

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

Is Cozad, NE affordable?

Yes, Cozad is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 48 — about 52% below the US national average of 100.

Cozad at a Glance

Population
3,944
Median Income
$50,161
Home Value
$118,600
Median Rent
$820/mo
Unemployment
1.1%
Sales Tax
6.9%
View all cities in Nebraska →
🗺️ County data for Nebraska

Explore county-level cost of living data

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