Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,192 in Minnesota versus $984 in Nebraska. Overall, Nebraska runs roughly 17% cheaper on rent than Minnesota, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $80,269 in Minnesota and $72,708 in Nebraska — about 9% higher in Minnesota. Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% 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
6.875%
5.5%
+1.4 pp in Minnesota
Income Tax (top rate)
9.85%
4.55%
+5.3 pp in Minnesota
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,192
$984
+17% in Minnesota
Median Home Value
$345,600
$230,100
+33% in Minnesota
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$80,269
$72,708
+9% in Minnesota
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
47.4°F
51.1°F
+3.7°F in Nebraska
Minnesota vs Nebraska — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Minnesota or Nebraska?
- Nebraska is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $984 runs about 17% below Minnesota's $1,192, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Minnesota 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 $48,000 a year in Minnesota versus $39,000 in Nebraska.
- Which has lower taxes, Minnesota or Nebraska?
- Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% 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 Minnesota/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.