Cost of Living in Wayne 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 Wayne County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Wayne County ranks #1,736 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 45%)
Sourced county brief
Wayne County Median Home Value Estimated at 221,600 Dollars
The median home value in Wayne County was estimated at $221,600, which is $56,965 above the Nebraska unweighted county mean of $164,635. Renters in the county faced a median gross rent of $800 per month, slightly higher than the state unweighted county mean of $797. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 25.0%. This official ACS B25071 estimate is 1.8 percentage points higher than the Nebraska unweighted county mean GRAPI of 23.2%. For owner-occupied units, the median selected monthly owner cost was $1,082, while the state unweighted county mean was $860. The median renter-household income for the area was recorded at $37,583. These figures provide a statistical overview of housing expenditures for the 2020-2024 5-year estimate period. See ACS table B25077 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: Wayne County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 25.0% of renter household income in Wayne County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $800 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,082. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $32,000 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. Wayne County's $800 median is 0.4% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Wayne County
Rent Burden
14.5%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,545
per month
Owner Cost Burden
19.6%
of gross income
The median home in Wayne County may be a stretch
Median home value is $221,600. Estimated monthly cost: $1,769 vs. your max of $1,545.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
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
What is the cost of living in Wayne County, Nebraska?
What is the median rent in Wayne County?
Is Wayne County affordable?
How does Wayne County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Wayne County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Wayne County, Nebraska? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Wayne County
Whether you're buying in Wayne County, Nebraska, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
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.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.