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City · 7,314 residents · Red Willow County, Nebraska

McCook , Nebraska

In McCook, a typical home is worth $154,300 and typical rent is $823 a month. Compared with all of Red Willow County, typical household income is 11% lower and the share of households that own their home is 7 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $154,300

    3% below the county

    35% below Nebraska

    • McCook
    • Red Willow
    • Nebraska

  • Typical rent

    $823a month

    About the same as the county

    23% below Nebraska

    • McCook
    • Red Willow
    • Nebraska

  • Typical household income

    $56,917a year

    11% below the county

    26% below Nebraska

    • McCook
    • Red Willow
    • Nebraska

  • Households that own their home

    66%

    7 points below the county

    About the same as Nebraska

    • McCook
    • Red Willow
    • Nebraska

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$184,556
1.9% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

McCook is in Red Willow County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Red Willow County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets McCook apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. 66% of households in McCook own their home, against 73% in Red Willow County.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in McCook

What homes there are in McCook, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

Detached houses are the majority in McCook (78%), but less so than in Red Willow County (81%).

Year built

In McCook, half of the homes were built before 1957; in Red Willow County, before 1959.

Homes in McCook are smaller: 56% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Red Willow County, 61%.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,327 a month

Red Willow County: $1,327 a month

Without a mortgage

$627 a month

Red Willow County: $616 a month

Owners with a mortgage

52%

Red Willow County: 49%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in McCook is $1,327 a month, near the figure in Red Willow County ($1,327).

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in McCook rose 42%; in Red Willow County, it rose 46%.

Much as in Red Willow County, the typical rent in McCook rose 34% since 2015–2019.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureMcCookRed Willow CountyNebraskaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate4.3%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0.6%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate2.1%3.4%
People per household 2.192.282.422.53
Drive alone 85%87%76%69%
Carpool Unreliable estimate4%9%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate3%3%
Work from home Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate11%15%
Other means Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%2%
Typical commute under 10 minutesUnreliable estimate10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in Red Willow County, a household in McCook has 2.19 people on average.

In McCook, 85% of workers drive alone to work; in Red Willow County, 87%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in McCook?

A typical home is within reach of the typical income

We start with a typical home in McCook, worth $154,300, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 28% of the typical household income in McCook, which is $56,917 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Red Willow County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in McCook. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $5,401 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$1,308

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$151,505
Total interest
$217,980
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $2,606 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,328 a month

    Your payment · 28%

  • Tight

    $1,328 to $1,708 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,708 a month

Compared with the typical household income in McCook ($56,917 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,308
Principal & interest$1,026
Property tax$149
Home insurance$64
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$68

You need at least $5,401 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

McCook and Red Willow County

McCook is in Red Willow County, Nebraska. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

McCook's own numbers

Typical home value
$154,300
Typical monthly rent
$823
Typical yearly household income
$56,917
Households that own their home
66%
Effective property tax rate
1.16%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Red Willow County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,014
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+47%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
2%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Red Willow County.

Everything about Red Willow County

Buying

Buying a home in McCook

A typical home in McCook is worth $154,300: 3% below the county and 35% below Nebraska. With the typical household income in McCook ($56,917 a year), a typical home costs 2.7 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • McCook 2.7 years
  • Red Willow 2.5 years
  • Nebraska 3.1 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Red Willow County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Red Willow County rose 79% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Red Willow County.

Period County Nebraska U.S.
Last year (2025) +5.2% +3.3% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +47% +49% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +79% +87% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

McCook next to Red Willow County, Nebraska and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • McCook $154,300
  • Red Willow $159,600
  • Nebraska $238,600
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • McCook $823
  • Red Willow $819
  • Nebraska $1,072
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • McCook $56,917
  • Red Willow $63,697
  • Nebraska $76,475
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
McCook next to Red Willow County and Nebraska
Measure McCook Red Willow County Nebraska U.S.
Typical home value $154,300 $159,600 $238,600 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $823 $819 $1,072 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $56,917 $63,697 $76,475 $80,734
Households that own their home 66% 73% 67% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $1,786 $1,879 $3,549 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.16% 1.18% 1.49% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 53% 52% 45% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Red Willow County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in McCook

For a typical $154,300 home in McCook, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, McCook's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,308a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $5,401
    Cash to close
    $10,030
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $68

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,280a month

    Down payment
    $7,715
    Cash to close
    $12,344
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $73

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,050a month

    Down payment
    $30,860
    Cash to close
    $35,489
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,192a month

    Down payment
    $23,145
    Cash to close
    $27,774
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for McCook and for Red Willow County.

Property tax

Effective rate in McCook

1.16%of the home’s value each year

$1,786 a year for the typical owner in McCook.

  • McCook 1.16%
  • Red Willow 1.18%
  • Nebraska 1.49%

What Nebraska publishes Homestead exemption for seniors, people with disabilities and veterans (Nebraska Department of Revenue, Property Assessment Division)

Exemptions and deadlines in Nebraska

Flood risk in Red Willow County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Red Willow County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
2%
114
Of those, with NFIP insurance
3.5%
County Nebraska U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 2% 3.5% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 3.5% 15% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in McCook

Typical rent in McCook is $823 a month: about the same as the county. In McCook, 53% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Red Willow County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,014 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $19.50 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Red Willow County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $734 $14.12 $29,360
1 bedroom $775 $14.90 $31,000
2 bedrooms $1,014 $19.50 $40,560
3 bedrooms $1,218 $23.42 $48,720
4 bedrooms $1,333 $25.63 $53,320

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in McCook

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). McCook is in ZIP code 69001.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,010: $4 less than the fair market rent for Red Willow County ($1,014).

  • 69001 $1,010$1,220

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for McCook when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Free help

Help to buy or rent in McCook

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Red Willow County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

An older man and his daughter go over papers with a professional.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in McCook

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for McCook or Red Willow County. The ones below are statewide in Nebraska: they work in McCook the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Nebraska

  • Homebuyer Assistance (HBA) Program

    Statewide in Nebraska

    Nebraska state authority program for first-time buyers: a NIFA mortgage plus a second mortgage of up to 5% of the price at 1%, over 10 years, for the down payment and closing costs. Offered by Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA).

    Repayable

    See the program Official page

  • Welcome Home Assistance (WHA)

    Statewide in Nebraska

    Nebraska state authority option that adds a second loan for the down payment and closing costs to the Welcome Home mortgage, for first-time buyers and for people who have owned a home before; the page does not state the amount. Offered by Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA).

    Type not stated

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near McCook

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of McCook, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Blue Valley Community Action Partnership

    620 5th St, Fairbury · 182 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Budget and credit workshops
    • and 5 more
    (402) 729-2278

  • Neighborhoods, Inc. DBA Neighborworks Lincoln

    2530 Q St, Lincoln · 211 miles away

    • Workshops for new owners
    • Pre-purchase counseling
    • and 1 more
    (402) 477-7181

  • High Plains Community Development Corporation

    803 E 3rd St Ste 4, Chadron · 219 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 6 more
    (308) 432-4346

All counseling agencies in Nebraska

Help in Spanish near McCook

None of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of McCook

HUD’s record names them for McCook or Red Willow County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • McCook Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (308) 345-3605

One other authority has an office in Red Willow County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Nearby cities

The cities closest to McCook, with the typical home value.

Everything about Red Willow County Housing in Nebraska

Neighboring counties

If Red Willow County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in McCook.

All guides
A smiling girl holds up a small mushroom she found on a forest outing.

Questions

Housing questions about McCook

Short answers with the numbers for McCook and all of Red Willow County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in McCook?

The typical home value in McCook is $154,300, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Red Willow County it is $159,600.

How much does it cost to rent in McCook?

Typical rent in McCook is $823 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Red Willow County is $1,014.

What is the FHA loan limit in McCook?

McCook uses the FHA limit for all of Red Willow County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in McCook?

The typical homeowner in McCook pays $1,786 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.16% of the home’s value; in Red Willow County, the rate is 1.18%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in McCook?

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Red Willow County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).