Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $889 in Montana versus $984 in Nebraska. Overall, Montana runs roughly 10% cheaper on rent than Nebraska, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $71,855 in Montana and $72,708 in Nebraska — about 1% higher in Nebraska. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no 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
None
5.5%
+5.5 pp in Nebraska
Income Tax (top rate)
5.65%
4.55%
+1.1 pp in Montana
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$889
$984
+11% in Nebraska
Median Home Value
$311,800
$230,800
+26% in Montana
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$71,855
$72,708
+1% in Nebraska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
48.2°F
51.1°F
+2.9°F in Nebraska
Montana vs Nebraska — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Montana or Nebraska?
- Montana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $889 runs about 10% below Nebraska's $984, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Montana 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 $36,000 a year in Montana versus $39,000 in Nebraska.
- Which has lower taxes, Montana or Nebraska?
- Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no 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 Montana/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.