Cost of Living in Washington County, Nebraska
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Washington County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Washington County ranks #2,423 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 23%)
Sourced county brief
Washington County Official Median GRAPI Reaches 30.3 Percent
In Washington County, the median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 30.3%, according to official ACS B25071 estimates. This official figure is 7.1 percentage points above the Nebraska unweighted county mean GRAPI of 23.2%. The median gross rent in the county was recorded at $965 per month, which is $168 higher than the state unweighted county mean of $797. Among homeowners, the median selected monthly owner cost was $1,394, exceeding the Nebraska unweighted county mean of $860. The median home value in Washington County was estimated at $297,600, while the state unweighted county mean for home values was $164,635. For those in rental housing, the median renter-household income was $41,454. These metrics represent a snapshot of local housing costs and income from the 2020-2024 period. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Washington County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 30.3% of renter household income in Washington County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $965 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,394. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $38,600 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Nebraska unweighted mean of county median rents is $797 per month. Washington County's $965 median is 21.1% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Washington County
Rent Burden
12.3%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$2,203
per month
Owner Cost Burden
17.7%
of gross income
The median home in Washington County may be a stretch
Median home value is $297,600. Estimated monthly cost: $2,376 vs. your max of $2,203.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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