What an Acre of Nebraska Land Costs in 2026

One acre of land in Nebraska can cost anywhere from “surprisingly affordable” to “eye-wateringly expensive,” depending on location, water, soil, and intended use. For farmers, ranchers, investors, and families holding legacy ground, today’s market is less about one statewide number and more about matching a specific tract to what it can produce—and what buyers will pay for that potential.

At the statewide level, Nebraska’s average agricultural land value is $3,935 per acre as of February 1, 2025, which is down 2% from $4,015 per acre in 2024, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability. That single benchmark is useful for context, but it doesn’t replace local pricing signals—especially where irrigation, development pressure, or high-performing soils change the math.

Quick Nebraska Land Value Snapshot (2025)

• Statewide average agricultural land: $3,935/acre (down 2% from $4,015 in 2024), per the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.
• Dryland cropland (no irrigation potential), statewide: $4,460/acre (down 2%), per the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.
• Grazing land (nontillable), statewide: $1,230/acre (up 5%), per the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.

What Drives the Value of an Acre in Nebraska

1) Location and local demand

“Nebraska land” isn’t one market—it’s many micro-markets shaped by productivity, nearby buyers, and competition from non-farm uses. For example, county-level pricing near major metros often runs ahead of broad state averages. In Sarpy County, the farmland value is $13,349.25 per acre in Q1 2025, according to the Growers Edge Farmland Value Index. That kind of figure reflects intense demand and the premium that comes with proximity to Omaha-area growth corridors.

2) Land use: cropland vs. grazing vs. mixed-use

What you can do with the land often matters as much as where it sits.

• Cropland: Higher-value ground tends to be cropland—especially where yields are consistent and logistics are easy. Statewide, dryland cropland (no irrigation potential) averages $4,460 per acre (down 2%), according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.
• Grazing land: Pasture and rangeland usually trade at lower per-acre levels than cropland, but strong cattle economics and limited supply can still push values. Statewide, grazing land (nontillable) averages $1,230 per acre (up 5%), per the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.
• Recreational and lifestyle properties: Hunting, river access, and build potential can add premiums that don’t show up in typical farm budgets—especially when the buyer pool includes non-operators.

3) Water access and irrigation capability

In Nebraska, irrigation often creates a step-change in value because it can stabilize yields and expand cropping options. That shows up clearly in regional irrigated-cropland benchmarks:

• Northeast Nebraska center pivot irrigated cropland: averages $12,890 per acre, down 6% from the prior year, per the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.
• Central Nebraska center pivot irrigated cropland: averages $11,280 per acre, down 3%, per the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.

4) Soil quality and long-term productivity

High-performing soils (plus good drainage, topography, and manageable field shapes) attract more bidders and support higher rents—both of which can lift sale prices. Lower-quality soils can still be valuable, but they typically require more conservative yield assumptions and may fit better as pasture, hay, or wildlife habitat.

5) Access, improvements, and infrastructure

Road frontage, field access for large equipment, grain handling options, and proximity to markets all influence pricing. Improvements—such as irrigation systems, wells, pivots, fencing, and on-site utilities—can also push a property above “bare land” comparisons.

Nebraska Land Prices by Region: What the Data Signals

North Central Nebraska

North Central Nebraska can command strong values depending on the local mix of irrigated acres, productive cropland, and competitive buyer demand. The all land average in North Central Nebraska is $9,435 per acre, down 3%, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.

Northeast Nebraska

Northeast Nebraska remains one of the state’s highest-priced farm regions where irrigation and strong soils converge. Center pivot irrigated cropland averages $12,890 per acre in Northeast Nebraska, down 6%, per the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.

Central Nebraska

Central Nebraska continues to reflect the value of reliable production and irrigation capacity. Center pivot irrigated cropland averages $11,280 per acre in Central Nebraska, down 3%, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.

Southwest Nebraska

Southwest Nebraska’s value profile often leans more heavily on grazing economics and water availability. Grazing land (nontillable) in Southwest Nebraska averages $1,070 per acre, up 5%, per the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.

Metro-adjacent counties (example: Sarpy County)

Where farmland overlaps with metro expansion and high competition for limited acres, prices can rise well beyond statewide averages. In Sarpy County, farmland value is $13,349.25 per acre in Q1 2025, according to the Growers Edge Farmland Value Index.

Market Trends: What’s Changing Now

Land values: modest movement, different directions by land type

Recent data shows a market that’s still active but more selective, with some categories easing while others hold firm. Statewide, Nebraska’s average agricultural land value sits at $3,935 per acre in 2025, down 2% from 2024, per the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability. At the same time, not every segment moved down: grazing land (nontillable) statewide is up 5% to $1,230 per acre, also from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.

Momentum heading into 2026

Looking forward, some indicators suggest continued firmness. Nebraska farmland values increased 1.90% entering 2026, according to Farm Credit Services of America. That type of gain points to ongoing demand, even as buyers weigh interest rates, input costs, and commodity margins more carefully than in the most aggressive years.

The scale of Nebraska agricultural real estate

Zooming out, Nebraska land values matter because the asset base is enormous. Nebraska’s estimated total value of agricultural land and buildings is $164.7 billion as of 2025, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Nebraska Farm Real Estate Report 2025. That figure underscores why small percentage changes can translate into massive dollar shifts across the state.

Why It’s Hard to Put One “Correct” Price on an Acre

• Comparable sales can be limited: In rural areas, the best comps may be months or miles away—and not truly similar in water, soils, or improvements.
• Unique property traits matter: Pivot condition, well capacity, fencing, easements, access points, and field layout can swing value significantly.
• Market goals differ: An operator may value ROI and agronomic fit, while an investor may prioritize stability, tenant quality, and long-term appreciation.

Practical Tips for Buyers and Sellers in Nebraska

For buyers

1. Anchor your expectations to current benchmarks: Start with statewide reference points like $3,935 per acre average ag land in 2025 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability, then adjust for region and land class.
2. Separate dryland from irrigated economics: Compare dryland values (such as the statewide $4,460 per acre average for dryland cropland with no irrigation potential, down 2%, per the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability) against irrigated benchmarks in your target area.
3. Verify water and operating constraints: Confirm well reports, irrigation history, NRD requirements, and any restrictions that affect future use.
4. Use local experts: A qualified appraiser, lender, and local agent can help you translate “average values” into a defensible offer price.

For sellers

1. Price to the land class, not just the county name: A tract’s value hinges on whether it aligns more with grazing, dryland, or irrigated comparables—and whether improvements actually add measurable buyer value.
2. Document what buyers pay for: Share well and pivot details, soil maps, yield history, lease terms, fencing and water points, and access details to reduce uncertainty and strengthen offers.
3. Watch regional signals: If you own irrigated acres, reference figures like $12,890 per acre for Northeast Nebraska center pivot irrigated cropland (down 6%) or $11,280 per acre in Central Nebraska (down 3%), per the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability.
4. Set timeline expectations: Nebraska land deals often move slower than residential real estate, especially for unique tracts or larger acreages.

Land-Buying Companies and Alternative Selling Options

Beyond traditional listings and auctions, some Nebraska landowners consider direct-to-buyer land companies, especially when speed and simplicity matter. These buyers may close faster and reduce the seller’s workload, but convenience can come with a pricing tradeoff versus full-exposure marketing. This route can make sense for hard-to-comp, inherited, or remote properties—particularly when time, certainty, or complexity drives the decision.

Final Thoughts

The value of one acre in Nebraska depends on what it is and where it sits. Statewide averages—like $3,935 per acre in 2025 (down 2% from 2024) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability—create a useful baseline. But real pricing happens at the intersection of irrigation capability, soil performance, access, regional demand, and the buyer’s intended use.

If you’re entering the market, lean on credible benchmarks, verify the fundamentals (especially water), and evaluate the tract as a business asset—not just a map boundary. Nebraska agricultural real estate remains a cornerstone asset class, with an estimated $164.7 billion total value of agricultural land and buildings in 2025, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Nebraska Farm Real Estate Report 2025. Staying informed—and local—will put you in the best position to buy or sell with confidence.