Cost of Living in O'Neill, NE

Population 3,574 · Nebraska · Data vintage 2023

47
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in O'Neill stay well under national norms: a median home value of $131,000 against median household incomes of $66,458 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Nebraska. An unemployment rate of 0.0% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

O'Neill lies roughly 120 miles southwest of the nearest major metro, Sioux Falls — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 52% lower than Sioux Falls' $271,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 43
Rent 54

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

About the Cost of Living in O'Neill

The median home value in O'Neill is $130,900 — 57% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $712/month, 46% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $66,458/year is 11% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.0%, 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, O'Neill has a cost of living index of 47 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 53% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$130,900
57% below avg
Median Rent
$712/mo
46% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.3x
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 66.5%
Renter-occupied 33.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$712
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,326/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
12.4 min
54% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
2.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
86.0%
Carpooled
5.4%
Walked
4.7%
Work from home
2.2%

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
$66,458
11% below avg
Per Capita Income
$33,812
Unemployment Rate
0.0%
100% below avg
Poverty Rate
14.9%
Labor Force Participation
63.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 10.5%
Graduate degree 9.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.1
Male median age 43.6
Female median age 42.1

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

84%
4-Year Graduation Rate
11.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
2
Public schools
793
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in O'Neill, NE?

O'Neill has a cost index of 47 (100 = national average). It is 53% below the national average.

What is average rent in O'Neill, NE?

The median gross rent in O'Neill is $712 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in O'Neill?

The median home value in O'Neill is $130,900 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in O'Neill?

The median household income in O'Neill is $66,458 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in O'Neill, NE?

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

Is O'Neill, NE affordable?

Yes, O'Neill is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 47 — about 53% below the US national average of 100.

O'Neill at a Glance

Population
3,574
Median Income
$66,458
Home Value
$130,900
Median Rent
$712/mo
Unemployment
0.0%
Sales Tax
6.9%
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🗺️ County data for Nebraska

Explore county-level cost of living data

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