Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,133 in Idaho versus $984 in Nebraska. Overall, Nebraska runs roughly 13% cheaper on rent than Idaho, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $81,308 in Idaho and $72,708 in Nebraska — about 11% higher in Idaho. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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
6%
5.5%
+0.5 pp in Idaho
Income Tax (top rate)
5.30%
4.55%
+0.8 pp in Idaho
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,133
$984
+13% in Idaho
Median Home Value
$456,000
$230,800
+49% in Idaho
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$81,308
$72,708
+11% in Idaho
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.5°F
51.1°F
+1.4°F in Idaho
Idaho vs Nebraska — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Idaho or Nebraska?
- Nebraska is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $984 runs about 13% below Idaho's $1,133, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho 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 $45,000 a year in Idaho versus $39,000 in Nebraska.
- Which has lower taxes, Idaho or Nebraska?
- Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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 Idaho/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.