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Scottsbluff, NE

Cost of living in Scotts Bluff County, NE

Estimated monthly cost
$2,730/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 35,937 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $759 28%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $480 18%
Groceries $320 12%
Transport $320 12%
Energy $185 7%
State tax $136 5%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Scotts Bluff County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$645
per month
1 bedroom
$759
per month
2 bedroom
$940
per month
3 bedroom
$1,317
per month
4 bedroom
$1,372
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Scotts Bluff County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$60,960
per year
Individual earnings
$39,401
per year
Per capita
$34,209
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Scotts Bluff County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$161,400
Annual property tax
$2,401

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Scotts Bluff 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 Scotts Bluff County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
9.8%

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 Scotts Bluff 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 Scotts Bluff County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
13.7 min
Drive alone
80.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Work from home
5.9%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Scotts Bluff County

What it costs to live in Scotts Bluff County each month.

Single person
$2,730
per month
  • Rent $759
  • Energy $185
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $320
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $480
  • State tax $136
Couple
$3,945
per month
  • Rent $940
  • Energy $222
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $530
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $668
  • State tax $241
Family
$6,449
per month
  • Rent $1,317
  • Energy $278
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $805
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $668
  • State tax $241

Frequently asked questions about Scotts Bluff County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Scotts Bluff County?

In Scotts Bluff County, NE, a one-bedroom apartment averages $759 per month, a two-bedroom averages $940 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,317 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Scotts Bluff County?

In Scotts Bluff County, NE, the average household income is $60,960 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $39,401 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Scotts Bluff County?

The estimated cost of living in Scotts Bluff County, NE is approximately $2,730 per month for a single person, $3,945 for a couple, $6,449 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Scotts Bluff County?

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

Is Scotts Bluff County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Scotts Bluff County, NE would need approximately $2,730 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $60,960 per year ($5,080 per month). Scotts Bluff County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Scotts Bluff County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Scotts Bluff County, NE is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 9.8% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Scotts Bluff County?

The average home value in Scotts Bluff County, NE is $161,400, with average annual property taxes of $2,401, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Scotts Bluff County compare to other areas?

You can compare Scotts Bluff County, NE with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Scotts Bluff County is in the Scottsbluff, 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 Scotts Bluff County with another area

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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