Cost of Living in Waverly, NE

Population 4,363 · Nebraska · Data vintage 2023

87
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Waverly is a smaller Nebraska community of around 4000 residents, where median household incomes of $110,000 and housing costs ($290,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 0.0% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Waverly sits roughly 10 miles northeast of Lincoln — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 17% higher than Lincoln's $248,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 95
Rent 74

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

About the Cost of Living in Waverly

The median home value in Waverly is $290,000 — 5% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $972/month, 26% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $110,000/year is 47% higher 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%. The climate averages highs of 62.9°F and lows of 39.4°F. Overall, Waverly has a cost of living index of 87 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 13% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$290,000
5% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$426,178
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$972/mo
26% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.9x
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 87.0%
Renter-occupied 13.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$972
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,586/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
23.8 min
12% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
87.5%
Carpooled
3.0%
Work from home
9.5%

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
$110,000
47% above avg
Per Capita Income
$39,533
Unemployment Rate
0.0%
100% below avg
Poverty Rate
0.6%
Labor Force Participation
68.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.4%
Graduate degree 12.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.5
Male median age 39.9
Female median age 34.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
62.9°F
Avg Low
39.4°F
Annual Precip
32.3"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 344053647483878579665139
Low °F 141828385061656253402818
Precip" 0.931.241.862.994.764.813.923.303.352.251.511.37

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
69.6%
Good air days/yr
160
Max AQI recorded
71
PM2.5 days
212
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
5
Public schools
2,142
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Waverly, NE?

Waverly has a cost index of 87 (100 = national average). It is 13% below the national average.

What is average rent in Waverly, NE?

The median gross rent in Waverly is $972 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Waverly?

The median home value in Waverly is $290,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Waverly?

The median household income in Waverly is $110,000 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Waverly, NE?

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

Is Waverly, NE affordable?

Yes, Waverly is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 87 — about 13% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Waverly?

Waverly has average high temperatures of 62.9°F and average lows of 39.4°F. Annual precipitation is 32.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Waverly at a Glance

Population
4,363
Median Income
$110,000
Home Value
$290,000
Median Rent
$972/mo
Unemployment
0.0%
Avg High Temp
62.9°F
Sales Tax
6.9%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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