Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Bowling Green?

Bowling Green, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Bellevue, NE's $1,160, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Bowling Green?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $33,000 in Bowling Green.

Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Bowling Green?

Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Bowling Green under Kentucky's (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Bellevue vs Bowling Green Cost of Living 2026

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/mo est.

Bowling Green

Kentucky

$1,020/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,160 in Bellevue, NE versus $1,020 in Bowling Green, KY. Overall, Bowling Green, KY is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bellevue, NE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,343 in Bellevue, NE and $48,419 in Bowling Green, KY — about 45% higher in Bellevue, NE. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Bellevue, NE

Bowling Green, KY

Rent

Studio

$1,106

$878

+21% in Bellevue, NE

1 Bedroom

$1,008

$833

+17% in Bellevue, NE

2 Bedroom

$1,190

$960

+19% in Bellevue, NE

3 Bedroom

$1,660

$1,214

+27% in Bellevue, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$230,800

$232,100

+1% in Bowling Green, KY

Income

Median Household Income

$87,343

$48,419

+45% in Bellevue, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$45,040

+9% in Bellevue, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

27.9 yr

+8.2 yr in Bellevue, NE

Homeownership

65.5%

37.3%

+28.2 pp in Bellevue, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.4%

32.0%

+1.4 pp in Bellevue, NE

Avg Commute

20.8 min

18.8 min

+2.0 min in Bellevue, NE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

100.8

231

+129% in Bowling Green, KY

Property Crime

1,149.4

2,984.4

+160% in Bowling Green, KY

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.1°F

58.0°F

+6.9°F in Bowling Green, KY

Annual Precipitation

30.6 in

49.9 in

+19.3 in in Bowling Green, KY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

15.0

+10% in Bowling Green, KY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.53

$29.48

+90% in Bowling Green, KY

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Bellevue, NE

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Bowling Green, KY

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Bellevue, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Bellevue, NE

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Bellevue, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — Midwest vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / KY)

5.5%

+0.5 pp in KY

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

3.50%

+1.0 pp in NE

Bellevue vs Bowling Green — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Bowling Green?: Bowling Green, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Bellevue, NE's $1,160, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Bowling Green?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $33,000 in Bowling Green.
Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Bowling Green?: Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Bowling Green under Kentucky's (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).