Cost of Living in Valley, NE

Population 3,113 · Nebraska · Data vintage 2023

133
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Valley 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. An unemployment rate of 2.5% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Valley sits roughly 15 miles west of Omaha — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 124% higher than Omaha's $230,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 169
Rent 80

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

About the Cost of Living in Valley

The median home value in Valley is $515,100 — 69% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,053/month, 20% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $106,750/year is 43% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.5%, 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, Valley has a cost of living index of 133 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 33% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$515,100
69% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$306,990
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,053/mo
20% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
40.8x
Favors renting
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 74.6%
Renter-occupied 25.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,053
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,667/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
28.5 min
6% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
23.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
66.2%
Carpooled
6.5%
Walked
1.1%
Work from home
23.6%

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
$106,750
43% above avg
Per Capita Income
$67,035
Unemployment Rate
2.5%
49% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.7%
Labor Force Participation
67.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 26.2%
Graduate degree 23.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 47.1
Male median age 41.2
Female median age 49.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 45 — Good
57.8%
Good air days/yr
169
Max AQI recorded
143
PM2.5 days
221
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
975
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Valley, NE?

Valley has a cost index of 133 (100 = national average). It is 33% above the national average.

What is average rent in Valley, NE?

The median gross rent in Valley is $1,053 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Valley?

The median home value in Valley is $515,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Valley?

The median household income in Valley is $106,750 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Valley, NE?

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

Is Valley, NE affordable?

Valley is above average in cost of living, with an index of 133 — about 33% higher than the national average.

Valley at a Glance

Population
3,113
Median Income
$106,750
Home Value
$515,100
Median Rent
$1,053/mo
Unemployment
2.5%
Sales Tax
6.9%
View all cities in Nebraska →
🗺️ County data for Nebraska

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs