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City · 7,369 residents · Otoe County, Nebraska

Nebraska City , Nebraska

In Nebraska City, a typical home is worth $162,000 and typical rent is $947 a month. Compared with all of Otoe County, the typical home value is 20% lower, typical household income is 18% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 7 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $162,000

    20% below the county

    32% below Nebraska

    • Nebraska City
    • Otoe
    • Nebraska

  • Typical rent

    $947a month

    4% above the county

    12% below Nebraska

    • Nebraska City
    • Otoe
    • Nebraska

  • Typical household income

    $67,117a year

    18% below the county

    12% below Nebraska

    • Nebraska City
    • Otoe
    • Nebraska

  • Households that own their home

    75%

    7 points below the county

    8 points above Nebraska

    • Nebraska City
    • Otoe
    • Nebraska

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

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$200,008
0.8% less than 12 months ago

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

Nebraska City is in Otoe 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 Otoe County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Nebraska City apart

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

  1. Nebraska City has the smallest share of rent-burdened renters of the 33 cities in Nebraska with more than 5,000 people: 22%.

  2. According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Nebraska City fell 0.8%; in Nebraska, it rose 3%.

  3. The typical home in Nebraska City is worth $162,000, 20% less than in Otoe County as a whole ($201,600).

  4. Nebraska City has the 3rd highest homeownership rate of the 33 cities in Nebraska with more than 5,000 people (75%).

  5. The typical household income in Nebraska City is $67,117, 18% less than in Otoe County as a whole ($82,188).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data

The homes here

Housing in Nebraska City

What homes there are in Nebraska City, 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

In Nebraska City, 7 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Otoe County, 8.

Year built

There are fewer big homes in Nebraska City than in Otoe County: 57% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 65%.

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

At least 97% of owner-occupied homes in Nebraska City are worth less than $500,000, below the FHA loan limit for Otoe County ($541,287).

Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,310 a month

Otoe County: $1,543 a month

Without a mortgage

$644 a month

Otoe County: $666 a month

Owners with a mortgage

42%

Otoe County: 50%

Owning costs less in Nebraska City: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,310 a month; in Otoe County, $1,543. Without one, $644.

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

The typical home value in Nebraska City rose 39% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Otoe County (40%).

Much as in Otoe County, the typical rent in Nebraska City rose 35% since 2015–2019.

Income in Nebraska City grew faster than housing: it rose 43%, while home values changed +39% and rent +35%.

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

MeasureNebraska CityOtoe 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 2.572.512.422.53
Drive alone 82%82%76%69%
Carpool 11%9%9%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate3%3%3%
Work from home 5%5%11%15%
Other means Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes

By size, households in Nebraska City look like those in Otoe County: 2.57 people on average.

To get to work, 82% of workers in Nebraska City drive alone; in Otoe County, 82%.

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 Nebraska City?

A typical home is within reach of the typical income

We start with a typical home in Nebraska City, worth $162,000, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 25% of the typical household income in Nebraska City, which is $67,117 a year.

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

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Nebraska City. 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 $5,670 (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

$1,403

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$159,066
Total interest
$228,858
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $2,736 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,566 a month

    Your payment · 25%

  • Tight

    $1,566 to $2,014 a month

  • Hard

    more than $2,014 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Nebraska City ($67,117 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,403
Principal & interest$1,078
Property tax$186
Home insurance$68
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$72

You need at least $5,670 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

Nebraska City and Otoe County

Nebraska City is in Otoe 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).

Nebraska City's own numbers

Typical home value
$162,000
Typical monthly rent
$947
Typical yearly household income
$67,117
Households that own their home
75%
Effective property tax rate
1.38%

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

Numbers for all of Otoe County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,112
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+54%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
2.4%

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 Otoe County.

Everything about Otoe County

Buying

Buying a home in Nebraska City

A typical home in Nebraska City is worth $162,000: 20% below the county and 32% below Nebraska. With the typical household income in Nebraska City ($67,117 a year), a typical home costs 2.4 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.

  • Nebraska City 2.4 years
  • Otoe 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 Otoe County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Otoe County rose 85% in the 10 years through 2025.

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

Period County Nebraska U.S.
Last year (2025) +5.6% +3.3% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +54% +49% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +85% +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

Nebraska City next to Otoe 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
  • Nebraska City $162,000
  • Otoe $201,600
  • Nebraska $238,600
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Nebraska City $947
  • Otoe $914
  • Nebraska $1,072
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Nebraska City $67,117
  • Otoe $82,188
  • Nebraska $76,475
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Nebraska City next to Otoe County and Nebraska
Measure Nebraska City Otoe County Nebraska U.S.
Typical home value $162,000 $201,600 $238,600 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $947 $914 $1,072 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $67,117 $82,188 $76,475 $80,734
Households that own their home 75% 82% 67% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $2,231 $2,691 $3,549 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.38% 1.33% 1.49% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 22% 25% 45% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Otoe 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 Nebraska City

For a typical $162,000 home in Nebraska City, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Nebraska City's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,403a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $5,670
    Cash to close
    $10,530
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $72

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,373a month

    Down payment
    $8,100
    Cash to close
    $12,960
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $77

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,132a month

    Down payment
    $32,400
    Cash to close
    $37,260
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,282a month

    Down payment
    $24,300
    Cash to close
    $29,160
    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 Nebraska City and for Otoe County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Nebraska City

1.38%of the home’s value each year

$2,231 a year for the typical owner in Nebraska City.

  • Nebraska City 1.38%
  • Otoe 1.33%
  • 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 Otoe County

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

Homes in the high-risk zone
2.4%
221
Of those, with NFIP insurance
5%
County Nebraska U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 2.4% 3.5% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 5% 15% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Nebraska City

Typical rent in Nebraska City is $947 a month: 4% above the county. In Nebraska City, 22% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Otoe County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,112 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $21.38 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Otoe 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 $805 $15.48 $32,200
1 bedroom $850 $16.35 $34,000
2 bedrooms $1,112 $21.38 $44,480
3 bedrooms $1,464 $28.15 $58,560
4 bedrooms $1,513 $29.10 $60,520

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 Nebraska City

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Nebraska City is in ZIP code 68410.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,130: $18 more than the fair market rent for Otoe County ($1,112).

  • 68410 $1,130$1,490

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Nebraska City 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?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Nebraska City

HUD lists 3 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Nebraska City. These are the largest.

  • Riverview Terrace 200 N 3rd St, Nebraska City 68410 81 homes, 75 low-income · Run by Nebraska City Housing Authority · Average payment: $377 a month · Average wait: 1 month (402) 873-5451
  • Nebraska City Senior Patio Homes 1801 Hickory Ln, Nebraska City 68410 28 low-income homes · 2 bd: 28 · In service since 2019 · For older adults
  • Arbor Village Apartments 611 4th Corso, Nebraska City 68410 24 low-income homes · For families (402) 873-7654

See all 9 buildings in Otoe County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Nebraska City

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 Otoe County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

A young man and a young woman look something up together on a laptop.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Nebraska City

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Nebraska City or Otoe County. The ones below are statewide in Nebraska: they work in Nebraska City 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 Nebraska City

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

  • Family Housing Advisory Services, Incorporate

    2108 Harvell Cir, Bellevue · 33 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 9 more
    (402) 934-6750

  • Credit Advisors Foundation

    1818 S. 72nd Street, Omaha · 40 miles away · Spanish

    Also serves in Korean and other languages.

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 9 more
    (877) 677-5779

  • Credit Advisors Foundation

    1818 S 72nd St, Omaha · 40 miles away · Spanish

    Also serves in Korean and other languages.

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 9 more
    (402) 514-3340

All counseling agencies in Nebraska

Help in Spanish near Nebraska City

3 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 Nebraska City

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

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

Cities

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Nebraska City, with the typical home value.

Everything about Otoe County Housing in Nebraska

Neighboring counties

If Otoe 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 Nebraska City.

All guides
A family roasts marshmallows over a campfire at a forest campsite.

Questions

Housing questions about Nebraska City

Short answers with the numbers for Nebraska City and all of Otoe 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 Nebraska City?

The typical home value in Nebraska City is $162,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Otoe County it is $201,600.

How much does it cost to rent in Nebraska City?

Typical rent in Nebraska City is $947 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Otoe County is $1,112.

What is the FHA loan limit in Nebraska City?

Nebraska City uses the FHA limit for all of Otoe 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 Nebraska City?

The typical homeowner in Nebraska City pays $2,231 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.38% of the home’s value; in Otoe County, the rate is 1.33%.

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

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Otoe 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).