Gretna, NE vs McCook, NE

The cost of living difference between Gretna, NE and McCook, NE is dramatic. McCook is 54.9% cheaper than Gretna, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gretna has a cost index of 104 while McCook sits at 67, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Gretna is $1,467/month compared to $783/month in McCook — a 87% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: McCook is more affordable at $137,400 median vs $326,000.

Median household income in Gretna is $118,765 compared to $51,815 in McCook (+129.2%). While Gretna is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gretna spend roughly 14.8% of their income on rent, less than the 18.1% in McCook.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.4°F vs 52.2°F). Gretna receives more rainfall at 31.9" per year compared to 20.1" in McCook.