Nelson, NE vs Wood River, NE

Nelson is moderately more affordable than Wood River, with a 14.4% lower cost of living index. Nelson scores 57 compared to 66 for Wood River, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Wood River can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Nelson is $620/month compared to $820/month in Wood River — a 24% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Nelson is more affordable at $72,900 median vs $131,400.

Median household income in Nelson is $54,408 compared to $76,591 in Wood River (-29%). While Wood River is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Nelson spend roughly 13.7% of their income on rent, more than the 12.8% in Wood River.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 51.9°F). Wood River receives more rainfall at 26.4" per year compared to 26.4" in Nelson.