Childcare Costs in Nebraska vs Salary (2026)
Full-time infant daycare in Nebraska runs about $1,085 a month — $13,020 a year, or 17.1% of the $76,000 median household income, and 9% below the 50-state average. Here is what that means for going back to work.
Average daycare cost in Nebraska
- Per month
- $1,085
- Per week
- $250
- Per year
- $13,020
Full-time infant care. Preschool-age care is about $910 a month.
Next steps
Nebraska childcare and cost-of-living figures
| Figure | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Infant daycare (0–2), full time | $1,085 | $13,020 |
| Four-year-old care, full time | $910 | $10,920 |
| Median 2-bedroom rent | $1,150 | $13,800 |
| Commute for the returning parent | $220 | $2,640 |
| Median household income | $6,333 | $76,000 |
Childcare prices are the published 2023 state averages (Nebraska: $13,000 a year for infant care, $10,920 for a 4-year-old); income and rent are 2026 estimates. Childcare: Child Care Aware of America — Price of Care: 2023 Affordability Analysis (Table I). Income: U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey. Housing: HUD Fair Market Rents. Full methodology and dataset.
What salary do you need to break even in Nebraska?
One child in care
$16,000
Gross salary needed to cover $15,660 of childcare and commuting after tax.
Two children in care
$27,000
Gross salary needed to cover $26,580 for an infant plus a four-year-old, and the commute.
Childcare plus rent consumes roughly 35.3% of the median Nebraska household income, far above the 7% the federal government calls affordable. Below the break-even line a second income is close to unpaid work in cash terms — the second-earner trap — though pension contributions and future wage growth still argue for staying in work (see the opportunity cost of staying home).
Test your own salary against these figures with the two-income break-even calculator or see what survives your nursery bill with the childcare vs salary calculator.
Run your own Nebraska numbers
Load the Nebraska averages into the calculator — $1,085 of childcare, $1,150 of rent and a $76,000 household income — then replace them with your real salary and daycare quote.
Use these Nebraska numbersNebraska childcare cost FAQs
How much does daycare cost in Nebraska?
Full-time infant daycare in Nebraska averages about $1,085 a month ($13,020 a year) in 2026 — about 9% below the 50-state average of $1,188. Care for a four-year-old is cheaper, around $910 a month, because required staff-to-child ratios loosen.
What salary do you need to break even on childcare in Nebraska?
A returning parent in Nebraska needs roughly $16,000 gross to cover one infant in full-time care plus commuting after federal tax. With two children in care the break-even rises to about $27,000.
What percentage of income goes to childcare in Nebraska?
One infant in full-time care eats about 17.1% of the $76,000 median Nebraska household income. Add the $1,150 median two-bedroom rent and childcare plus housing take roughly 35.3% of gross income — far above the 7% federal affordability benchmark.
Is childcare cheaper in Nebraska than the rest of the US?
At $1,085 a month for infant care, Nebraska is about 9% below the 50-state average of $1,188. Prices inside the state still vary widely: metro centers typically run 20–40% above rural counties.
States with similar childcare prices
- Childcare costs in Nevada — $1,085/mo
- Childcare costs in Missouri — $1,075/mo
- Childcare costs in Florida — $1,055/mo
- Childcare costs in Michigan — $1,055/mo
- Childcare costs in New Mexico — $1,125/mo
- Childcare costs in Wisconsin — $1,130/mo
All 50 states · Childcare costs by city · US childcare calculator