How much does it cost to live in Nebraska?
The cost of living in Nebraska is less expensive than the national average. According to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the average price of goods and services in the state is 10.5% lower than the national average. Nebraska has the 13th lowest cost of living when compared to all other states.
Cost of Living Parameters
Housing & Rent
The majority of homes in Nebraska lie between $121,000 and $242,000 in price. However, approximately 9.4% of properties are priced below $60,500, while about 1% are valued at $1 million or more. Therefore, you may find affordable accommodation in the majority of cities throughout the state.
The typical renter in Nebraska spends $805 per month on housing, $218 less than the national average of $1,020 per month. The average monthly rent for a unit with five or more bedrooms in the state is $1,119, while the average cost for a one-bedroom unit is $670.
Here's some stats on Nebraska Mortgages:
- Homeownership rate: 70.3%
- Homeowner vacancy rate: 1.2%
- Rental vacancy rate: 7.7%
Childcare
In Nebraska, the average yearly cost of child care for a 4-year-old is $11,420, which is significantly higher than the national average of $8,903. It costs an average of $17,742 a year to care for a 4-year-old and an 8-year-old, compared to the national average of $15,853.
Here’s a look at the annual childcare costs from infant to college:
- Infant: $12,571
- 4-Year-Old: $11,420
- School: $4,090
- College: $8,188
Utilities
The average residential electricity bill in Nebraska is $100 per month, ranking the state 29th in the nation. This average monthly residential electricity expense in Nebraska is 6.54% less than the average monthly residential bill in the United States, which is $107.
Food & Groceries
A single adult in Nebraska spends an average of $3,025 yearly on food, while a family of four spends an average of $8,736. For comparison, the national average yearly food expenditure for a single adult is $3,240 and for a family of four it reaches $9,354.
The average price for eating out would be:
- A basic meal with a drink at an inexpensive restaurant: $14.4
- Fast food combo (big mac etc.): $8.1
- Bottle of Coca-Cola: $2.03
- Bottle of water: $1.09
Grocery shopping in the state would cost as follows:
- Milk (regular), (1 liter): $0.83
- Loaf of fresh white bread (500g): $2.28
- Rice (1 Kg): $3.29
- Eggs (regular) (12): $2.57
- 4 Rolls of toilet paper: $3.57
- Hair shampoo: $5.02
Transportation
In Nebraska, 91% of workers drive to work, compared to the national average of 85.5%. Annually, the average driver in the state travels 10,952 miles. Considering average fuel economy and the average cost of gas — standard fuel cost an average of $2.14 per gallon in Nebraska in mid-2020 — the average Nebraska driver can expect to spend $966 on gas alone in a single year.
According to data from Insure.com, the average vehicle insurance rate in Nebraska is $1,411, which is less than the national average of $1,517. The average single adult in the state spends $10,181 year on transportation, according to EPI data.
Average Income & Taxes
The average yearly income of a single adult living in Nebraska is $66,400. The graduated individual income tax rates in Nebraska range from 2.46% to 6.84%. Additionally, the corporate income tax rate in Nebraska is between 5.58 and 7.50%.
Most Expensive Nebraska Cities to Live in
- Papillion
- Bennington
- Omaha
- Fremont
- Lincoln
Why is disability insurance important to have in Nebraska?
As shown by the above cost of living breakdown, a steady income is required to live comfortably and worry-free. But sometimes you find yourself unable to work due to some sort of emergency, illness or accident. Whether you are a full-time employee or a freelancer, getting disability insurance is the first step towards financial stability and peace of mind.
What would happen if you found yourself unable to earn a paycheck because you were too ill or injured to work? According to a recent survey conducted by the personal financial website Bankrate, more than half of Americans (51%) have less than three months' worth of emergency funds.
Medical bills are reported to be the number one cause of U.S. bankruptcies. One study has claimed that medical issues caused 62.1% of bankruptcies. Other studies show that over 2 million people are adversely affected by their medical expenses.
If medical bills start piling up, you’ll no longer be able to support your lifestyle in other areas as well, especially if your income is on hold. You might find yourself unable to pay for utilities and rent, and that eventually could lead to foreclosure. Half of the foreclosures on conventional mortgages in Nebraska are caused by the disability of one of the homeowners. In fact, the foreclosure rate in the state reaches one in every 6,445 households.
A lot of people still think that the need for disability insurance is not top priority, thinking that disability rarely happens, and when it does, it’s only caused by serious accidents. But did you know that up to 90% of disability cases recorded are due to illness, not injury?
With that being said, getting private disability income insurance should be on top of your to-do list because life is unpredictable but your income shouldn’t be.
Does Nebraska have state disability insurance?
Only 5 states in the U.S. require companies to provide their employees with disability insurance coverage that includes benefits for accidents or illnesses sustained outside of the workplace. Unfortunately, Nebraska isn’t one of those states.
You may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you reside in Nebraska and can no longer work due to a long-term physical or mental disability. SSDI claims in Nebraska are evaluated to see whether the applicant fits eligibility requirements.
To be eligible for SSDI, you must have lived in the state for at least a year, worked in jobs covered by Social Security, and fall under Social Security's guidelines for a specified disability.
As a general rule, most people who apply for SSDI the first time are turned down. In Nebraska, your chances of getting your first disability application approved by DDS are 41%, which is higher than the average for the rest of the country, but going through the appeals process can be tiring and time-consuming.
What qualifies as disability in Nebraska?
If you have disability insurance provided by your employer, make sure to double-check the criteria in the agreement that qualify you to receive disability benefits when you’re unable to work. Some of these criteria can include the following:
- You are unable to perform the Substantial and Material Duties of your Regular Occupation as shown on the Schedule and;
- You are under the Regular Care of a Physician appropriate for your disabling Sickness or Injury and;
- There is no reasonable simplified worksite modification(s) that would allow you to perform one or more of the Substantial and Material Duties of your regular job.
How can I easily get disability insurance in Nebraska?
Seeking a private disability insurance policy is the best option in Nebraska. Here at Asteya, we offer disability insurance (or disability income insurance as we like to call it) that’s simple, fast, and affordable. Our 100% digital process means we don’t tire you out with proof of income, medical exams, phone interviews, or wait times. Click here to get a quote, or contact us for any inquiries.
Who qualifies for disability insurance in Nebraska?
Most insurances are bought to protect homes, vehicles, and health, but our most valuable asset tends to get neglected: our income. 70% of working Americans live paycheck to paycheck, with little savings to buffer the financial burden of a disability that leaves them unable to work.
At Asteya, we offer a variety of disability income insurance policies. Please visit asteya.world for more details on the eligibility of our product offering.
How much does disability insurance in Nebraska cost?
Protecting your income shouldn’t be a luxury, so here at Asteya, we’ve created affordable and easy solutions that won’t drain what you’re trying to protect (your income!). Our prices start as low as:
- Permanent Disability Income Insurance: starting at $6.05/month
- Sickness & Injury Disability Income Insurance: starting at $5/month
The bottom line
On average, living in the state of Nebraska will cost you $1,600 per month, give or take – that’s a lot of expenses! You've invested a lot of time and hard work in building a life that works for you, and your hard work should not go to waste due to an accident or illness. That’s why you should protect your lifestyle and your income with DI.
If you're still on the fence about whether disability income insurance is for you (hint: it is), here are a few extra points to consider while thinking about it:
- Asteya’s applications are 100% digital. We don't require blood tests or doctor's appointments, unlike other insurers and we'll just ask you a few minutes of questions to determine your best policy.
- Get paid out directly on an approved claim and spend without restrictions once it's in your bank account.
- We've made our Income Insurance as inclusive and accessible as possible. From corner store employees to corner office executives, our products were created to fit every budget and lifestyle.