Skip to main content
LiveWhere us
Nebraska

Cost of living in Wayne County, NE

Estimated monthly cost
$2,444/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 9,786 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $691 28%
Healthcare $480 20%
Groceries $320 13%
Transport $320 13%
Federal tax $308 13%
Energy $185 8%
State tax $90 4%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Wayne County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$622
per month
1 bedroom
$691
per month
2 bedroom
$907
per month
3 bedroom
$1,093
per month
4 bedroom
$1,502
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Wayne County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$67,687
per year
Individual earnings
$28,917
per year
Per capita
$31,864
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Wayne County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$203,700
Annual property tax
$2,432

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Wayne 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 Wayne County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
5.1%

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 Wayne 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 Wayne County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
14.1 min
Drive alone
72.6%
Public transit
0.0%
Work from home
12.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Wayne County

What it costs to live in Wayne County each month.

Single person
$2,444
per month
  • Rent $691
  • Energy $185
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $320
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $308
  • State tax $90
Couple
$4,055
per month
  • Rent $907
  • Energy $222
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $530
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $778
  • State tax $274
Family
$6,368
per month
  • Rent $1,093
  • Energy $278
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $805
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $778
  • State tax $274

Frequently asked questions about Wayne County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Wayne County?

In Wayne County, NE, a one-bedroom apartment averages $691 per month, a two-bedroom averages $907 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,093 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Wayne County?

In Wayne County, NE, the average household income is $67,687 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $28,917 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Wayne County?

The estimated cost of living in Wayne County, NE is approximately $2,444 per month for a single person, $4,055 for a couple, $6,368 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Wayne County?

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

Is Wayne County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Wayne County, NE would need approximately $2,444 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $67,687 per year ($5,641 per month). Wayne County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Wayne County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Wayne County, NE is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 5.1% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Wayne County?

The average home value in Wayne County, NE is $203,700, with average annual property taxes of $2,432, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Wayne County compare to other areas?

You can compare Wayne County, NE with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Wayne County is in Nebraska.

Other counties in Nebraska

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

See all counties in Nebraska

Compare Wayne 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