CALCMONEY // HOME AFFORDABILITY // NE // LINCOLN
How much house can you afford in Lincoln? Based on local median home prices, current NE mortgage rates, and Lincoln property tax data.
$235,000
$1,671/mo
$71,613/yr
$192,430
Monthly housing costs of $1,671 represent 32.3% of Lincoln's median gross monthly income ($5,167/mo). At 32.3%, this slightly exceeds the 28% rule. Buyers need above-median income or a 25%+ down payment to qualify comfortably.
| Median Home Price | $235,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | $47,000 |
| Loan Amount | $188,000 |
| Monthly PI Payment | $1,238 |
| Monthly Property Tax | $335 |
| Monthly Insurance Est. | $98 |
| Total Monthly PITI | $1,671 |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 32.3% |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $71,613/yr |
| Max Affordable Home | $192,430 |
$8,225
$2,087/mo
Lincoln Home Affordability Quick Reference 2026
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $235,000 | Lincoln city median |
| Down Payment (20%) | $47,000 | Conventional loan |
| Monthly PITI | $1,671 | 6.9% rate, 30yr fixed |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $71,613 | Annual gross |
| Max Affordable Home | $192,430 | Based on median income |
| FHA Down (3.5%) | $8,225 | Minimum FHA |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 32.3% | Median income: $62,000/yr |
| Property Tax Rate | 1.71% | $4,019/yr on median home |
Monthly PITI includes principal, interest, property tax, and homeowners insurance. Estimates only.
The median home price in Lincoln is $235,000, with a local 30-year mortgage rate of 6.9%. A buyer putting 20% down carries a loan of $188,000, generating a monthly P&I payment of $1,238. Adding property taxes ($335/mo) and homeowners insurance ($98/mo) brings total monthly PITI to $1,671.
Lincoln's property tax rate of 1.71% is near the national average, adding a standard increment to monthly housing costs. On the Lincoln median home, that is $335/month, or $4,019 per year.
Nebraska levies a state income tax, which affects take-home pay and effective buying power. High-income earners in Lincoln should factor state tax liability into their overall housing budget — mortgage interest may be deductible on both federal and state returns.
Using the 28% rule, a household earning Lincoln's median income of $62,000/year can afford up to $1,447/month in total housing costs. Based on Lincoln's mortgage rate of 6.9% and property tax rate of 1.71%, that translates to a maximum affordable home price of approximately $192,430 with 20% down on a 30-year loan.
To afford the median Lincoln home priced at $235,000, you need an annual gross income of approximately $71,613. Total monthly housing costs (principal and interest of $1,238, property taxes of $335, and insurance of $98) come to $1,671/month, which equals 28% of the required income.
At the median home price of $235,000 and median household income of $62,000, the total monthly housing cost of $1,671 represents 32.3% of gross monthly income. This slightly exceeds the standard 28% rule. Buyers will need above-median income or a larger down payment to stay within guidelines.
A conventional 20% down payment on the median Lincoln home of $235,000 is $47,000. An FHA loan requires just 3.5% down — $8,225 — but adds mortgage insurance of roughly $161/month, bringing total FHA payments to $2,087/month.
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