Which Nebraska county has the highest rent-to-price ratio?

Colfax County, at 0.86%: a 2-bedroom rent of $1,247 against a median home value of $144,700. It's a rough comparison, and a high ratio can come with slower growth or weaker demand, so check the other columns too.

Where have Nebraska home prices grown fastest?

Colfax County, at an average of +10.6% a year over five years, on the FHFA House Price Index. Past growth doesn't predict future growth.

Where is the Nebraska population growing fastest?

Sarpy County, at +1.7% a year, comparing two Census releases five years apart. These are estimates, and they're less exact for small places.

How does Nebraska compare with the rest of the US?

Among counties of 50,000 people or more, the median rent-to-price is 0.46% in Nebraska and 0.52% nationwide. The ratio is the 2-bedroom rent as a percent of the median home value.

Are home prices going up in Nebraska?

Home prices in Nebraska rose 41% over the 5 years to Q2 2026. In the latest year (to Q2 2026) they rose 3%. These figures come from the FHFA House Price Index for Nebraska (state level), which tracks repeat sales and refinance appraisals of the same homes. It shows the trend for the area, not what any one home is worth.

Nebraska real estate markets

Compare 26 Nebraska counties by rent, home prices and property tax, using public government data. Among counties of 50,000 people or more, the median rent-to-price is 0.46% in Nebraska and 0.52% nationwide.

Where the numbers stand out

Highest rent-to-price: 0.86%; Colfax County
Fastest price growth, 5-yr average: +10.6% a year; Colfax County
Lowest property tax: 1.11%; Holt County
Lowest median home value: $144,700; Colfax County
Fastest population growth: +1.7% a year; Sarpy County
Lowest unemployment: 2.3%; Holt County

26 counties · Swipe the table to see every column

US counties ranked by the column you choose. Column headers sort the table.
Market
Colfax County, NENebraska rents · Run a deal	0.86%	+11.9%	+10.6%	$144,700	$1,247	1.18%	10,641
Dawson County, NENebraska rents · Run a deal	0.65%	0.0%	+7.7%	$166,200	$1,074	1.31%	24,202
Dakota County, NENebraska rents · Run a deal	0.64%	+4.7%	+10.0%	$185,700	$1,194	1.54%	21,354
Red Willow County, NENebraska rents · Run a deal	0.64%	+5.2%	+8.0%	$159,600	$1,014	1.18%	10,557
Custer County, NENebraska rents · Run a deal	0.64%	+6.3%	+6.4%	$157,800	$1,014	1.16%	10,518
Scotts Bluff County, NEScottsbluff rents · Run a deal	0.61%	+3.9%	+7.1%	$168,500	$1,023	1.48%	35,843
Box Butte County, NENebraska rents · Run a deal	0.61%	+2.4%	+5.7%	$166,600	$1,014	1.51%	10,714
Holt County, NENebraska rents · Run a deal	0.61%	+16.7%	+9.0%	$165,100	$1,014	1.11%	10,102
Gage County, NENebraska rents · Run a deal	0.59%	+8.3%	+10.2%	$174,000	$1,025	1.41%	21,629
Dodge County, NEFremont rents · Run a deal	0.58%	+7.0%	+8.0%	$208,600	$1,207	1.27%	37,351
Lincoln County, NENorth Platte rents · Run a deal	0.58%	+3.5%	+7.9%	$189,500	$1,099	1.47%	33,802
Cass County, NENebraska rents · Run a deal	0.57%	+4.5%	+8.0%	$254,900	$1,450	1.43%	27,161
Otoe County, NENebraska rents · Run a deal	0.55%	+5.6%	+9.0%	$201,600	$1,112	1.33%	16,241
York County, NENebraska rents · Run a deal	0.55%	+8.8%	+9.1%	$189,400	$1,047	1.19%	14,286
Douglas County, NEOmaha rents · Run a deal	0.54%	+2.2%	+8.0%	$266,100	$1,450	1.69%	590,736
Hall County, NEGrand Island rents · Run a deal	0.54%	+2.8%	+8.7%	$224,600	$1,210	1.39%	62,536
Adams County, NEHastings rents · Run a deal	0.53%	+4.1%	+8.4%	$193,100	$1,014	1.45%	31,052
Saline County, NENebraska rents · Run a deal	0.53%	-0.1%	+8.7%	$197,400	$1,050	1.35%	14,650
Madison County, NENorfolk rents · Run a deal	0.52%	+3.4%	+8.0%	$208,500	$1,082	1.37%	35,532
Platte County, NEColumbus rents · Run a deal	0.51%	+5.4%	+8.1%	$223,900	$1,139	1.29%	34,716
Washington County, NENebraska rents · Run a deal	0.49%	+1.9%	+8.5%	$297,600	$1,450	1.39%	21,106
Sarpy County, NENebraska rents · Run a deal	0.46%	+3.1%	+8.1%	$314,100	$1,450	1.74%	197,389
Lancaster County, NELincoln rents · Run a deal	0.45%	+3.5%	+8.3%	$275,200	$1,230	1.53%	326,696
Buffalo County, NEKearney rents · Run a deal	0.45%	+2.0%	+7.0%	$246,400	$1,097	1.44%	50,579
Seward County, NENebraska rents · Run a deal	0.44%	+0.6%	+8.0%	$241,300	$1,055	1.18%	17,641
Saunders County, NENebraska rents · Run a deal	0.42%	+1.8%	+8.7%	$271,700	$1,153	1.30%	23,048

Home prices

Home prices in Nebraska rose 41% over the 5 years to Q2 2026.

1 year: +3%
5 years: +41%
10 years: +91%

From the FHFA House Price Index for Nebraska (state level), updated Mar 31, 2026. It tracks repeat sales and refinance appraisals of the same homes, so it shows the area's trend, not what any one home is worth. See what local prices suggest your rental is worth.

Keep looking

How to read this

Use this to shortlist, not to decide. These are county-wide figures, and a single county can hold very different neighborhoods. Check a real deal with the rental cash flow calculator.

Rent-to-price is the 2-bedroom rent as a percent of the median home value. It's a rough comparison between counties. The two figures describe different homes, and the home value lags current prices, so it can look better than today's market in places where prices rose quickly.

2-bed rent is HUD's Fair Market Rent (fiscal year from Oct 1, 2026): the 40th percentile for recent movers, including utilities. HUD often uses one figure across a whole metro area, so neighboring counties can match.

Home value and population are Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates through 2024. Home values are what owners report. Counties under 10,000 people aren't listed.

Prices are the FHFA House Price Index through 2025: the latest year's change, and the average yearly change over five years. FHFA calls its county index developmental, and it doesn't cover every county.

Property tax is median taxes paid divided by median home value, from the Census. It reflects what current owners pay. An investor buying today can pay more where assessments are capped for homeowners, as in Florida and California.

People and jobs: income, vacant homes (seasonal homes count as vacant, which can look high in vacation areas) and renters are Census 5-year estimates. Population growth compares two Census releases five years apart. Rent ÷ income is a year of the 2-bedroom rent as a percent of median household income. Unemployment is the Bureau of Labor Statistics yearly average for 2025.

See all data sources

Frequently asked questions

Which Nebraska county has the highest rent-to-price ratio?: Colfax County, at 0.86%: a 2-bedroom rent of $1,247 against a median home value of $144,700. It's a rough comparison, and a high ratio can come with slower growth or weaker demand, so check the other columns too.
Where have Nebraska home prices grown fastest?: Colfax County, at an average of +10.6% a year over five years, on the FHFA House Price Index. Past growth doesn't predict future growth.
Which Nebraska county has the lowest property tax?: Holt County, at about 1.11% of home value, based on what current owners pay. An investor buying today can pay more where assessments are capped for homeowners.
Where is the Nebraska population growing fastest?: Sarpy County, at +1.7% a year, comparing two Census releases five years apart. These are estimates, and they're less exact for small places.
How does Nebraska compare with the rest of the US?: Among counties of 50,000 people or more, the median rent-to-price is 0.46% in Nebraska and 0.52% nationwide. The ratio is the 2-bedroom rent as a percent of the median home value.
Are home prices going up in Nebraska?: Home prices in Nebraska rose 41% over the 5 years to Q2 2026. In the latest year (to Q2 2026) they rose 3%. These figures come from the FHFA House Price Index for Nebraska (state level), which tracks repeat sales and refinance appraisals of the same homes. It shows the trend for the area, not what any one home is worth.