Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,052 in Alaska versus $984 in Nebraska. Overall, Nebraska runs roughly 6% cheaper on rent than Alaska, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $72,708 in Nebraska — about 26% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
5.5%
+5.5 pp in Nebraska
Income Tax (top rate)
None
4.55%
+4.5 pp in Nebraska
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,052
$984
+6% in Alaska
Median Home Value
$375,900
$230,800
+39% in Alaska
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$72,708
+26% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
51.1°F
+13.7°F in Nebraska
Alaska vs Nebraska — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or Nebraska?
- Nebraska is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $984 runs about 6% below Alaska's $1,052, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Alaska than in Nebraska?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Alaska versus $39,000 in Nebraska.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or Nebraska?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Alaska/Nebraska — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.