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Grand Island, NE

Cost of living in Merrick County, NE

Part of the Grand Island Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,749/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 7,696 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $752 27%
Federal tax $500 18%
Healthcare $480 17%
Groceries $320 12%
Transport $320 12%
Energy $185 7%
State tax $142 5%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Merrick County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$622
per month
1 bedroom
$752
per month
2 bedroom
$907
per month
3 bedroom
$1,113
per month
4 bedroom
$1,487
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Merrick County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$62,849
per year
Individual earnings
$40,612
per year
Per capita
$34,539
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Merrick County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$168,000
Annual property tax
$1,969

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Merrick County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$124
per month · 13.1¢/kWh
Natural gas
$61
per month
Annual total
$2,220
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Merrick County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
7.8%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Merrick County

State and local tax rates for Nebraska.

State income tax
5.8%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
5.5%
Combined sales tax
7.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Merrick County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
20.6 min
Drive alone
84.3%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
4.7%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Merrick County

What it costs to live in Merrick County each month.

Single person
$2,749
per month
  • Rent $752
  • Energy $185
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $320
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $500
  • State tax $142
Couple
$3,951
per month
  • Rent $907
  • Energy $222
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $530
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $698
  • State tax $250
Family
$6,284
per month
  • Rent $1,113
  • Energy $278
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $805
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $698
  • State tax $250

Frequently asked questions about Merrick County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Merrick County?

In Merrick County, NE, a one-bedroom apartment averages $752 per month, a two-bedroom averages $907 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,113 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Merrick County?

In Merrick County, NE, the average household income is $62,849 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $40,612 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Merrick County?

The estimated cost of living in Merrick County, NE is approximately $2,749 per month for a single person, $3,951 for a couple, $6,284 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Merrick County?

The combined sales tax rate in Merrick County, NE is 7.00%, which includes the Nebraska state rate of 5.50% plus an average local rate of 1.50%.

Is Merrick County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Merrick County, NE would need approximately $2,749 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $62,849 per year ($5,237 per month). Merrick County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Merrick County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Merrick County, NE is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 7.8% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Merrick County?

The average home value in Merrick County, NE is $168,000, with average annual property taxes of $1,969, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Merrick County compare to other areas?

You can compare Merrick County, NE with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Merrick County is in the Grand Island, NE metro area.

Other counties in Nebraska

Browse the full list of counties in Nebraska, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Nebraska

Compare Merrick County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources