Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $877 in Kentucky versus $984 in Nebraska. Overall, Kentucky runs roughly 11% cheaper on rent than Nebraska, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $64,731 in Kentucky and $72,708 in Nebraska — about 11% higher in Nebraska. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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 Kentucky
Income Tax (top rate)
3.50%
4.55%
+1.0 pp in Nebraska
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$877
$984
+12% in Nebraska
Median Home Value
$221,500
$230,100
+4% in Nebraska
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$64,731
$72,708
+12% in Nebraska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
58.2°F
51.1°F
+7.1°F in Kentucky
Kentucky vs Nebraska — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kentucky or Nebraska?
- Kentucky is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $877 runs about 11% below Nebraska's $984, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kentucky 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 $35,000 a year in Kentucky versus $39,000 in Nebraska.
- Which has lower taxes, Kentucky or Nebraska?
- Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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 1/1 cities we track in Kentucky/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.