Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,258 in Illinois versus $984 in Nebraska. Overall, Nebraska runs roughly 22% cheaper on rent than Illinois, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $75,134 in Illinois and $72,708 in Nebraska — about 3% higher in Illinois. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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
6.25%
5.5%
+0.8 pp in Illinois
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
4.55%
+0.4 pp in Illinois
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,258
$984
+22% in Illinois
Median Home Value
$315,200
$230,100
+27% in Illinois
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$75,134
$72,708
+3% in Illinois
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.7°F
51.1°F
+1.6°F in Illinois
Illinois vs Nebraska — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or Nebraska?
- Nebraska is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $984 runs about 22% below Illinois's $1,258, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Illinois 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 $50,000 a year in Illinois versus $39,000 in Nebraska.
- Which has lower taxes, Illinois or Nebraska?
- Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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 1/1 cities we track in Illinois/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.