Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $984 in Nebraska versus $849 in Wisconsin. Overall, Wisconsin runs roughly 14% cheaper on rent than Nebraska, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $72,708 in Nebraska and $51,888 in Wisconsin — about 29% higher in Nebraska. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
5.5%
5%
+0.5 pp in Nebraska
Income Tax (top rate)
4.55%
7.65%
+3.1 pp in Wisconsin
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$984
$849
+14% in Nebraska
Median Home Value
$230,100
$172,000
+25% in Nebraska
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$72,708
$51,888
+29% in Nebraska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
51.1°F
47.9°F
+3.2°F in Nebraska
Nebraska vs Wisconsin — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Nebraska or Wisconsin?
- Wisconsin is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $849 runs about 14% 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 Wisconsin?
- 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 Wisconsin.
- Which has lower taxes, Nebraska or Wisconsin?
- Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Nebraska/Wisconsin — 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.