Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $984 in Nebraska versus $857 in New York. Overall, New York runs roughly 13% cheaper on rent than Nebraska, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $72,708 in Nebraska and $48,050 in New York — about 34% higher in Nebraska. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
5.5%
4%
+1.5 pp in Nebraska
Income Tax (top rate)
4.55%
10.90%
+6.4 pp in New York
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$984
$857
+13% in Nebraska
Median Home Value
$230,800
$152,300
+34% in Nebraska
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$72,708
$48,050
+34% in Nebraska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
51.1°F
48.3°F
+2.8°F in Nebraska
Nebraska vs New York — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Nebraska or New York?
- New York is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $857 runs about 13% below Nebraska's $984, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Nebraska than in New York?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Nebraska versus $34,000 in New York.
- Which has lower taxes, Nebraska or New York?
- Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax. New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Nebraska/New York — 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.