Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $761 in Kansas versus $984 in Nebraska. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 23% cheaper on rent than Nebraska, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,072 in Kansas and $72,708 in Nebraska — about 13% higher in Nebraska. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% 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%
5.5%
+1.0 pp in Kansas
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
4.55%
+1.0 pp in Kansas
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$761
$984
+29% in Nebraska
Median Home Value
$179,500
$230,800
+29% in Nebraska
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,072
$72,708
+15% in Nebraska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
57.0°F
51.1°F
+5.9°F in Kansas
Kansas vs Nebraska — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or Nebraska?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 23% below Nebraska's $984, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas 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 $30,000 a year in Kansas versus $39,000 in Nebraska.
- Which has lower taxes, Kansas or Nebraska?
- Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% 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 Kansas/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.