salaryKearney is the 5th-largest city in Nebraska that we track, with 34,246 residents. Rent is lower than in 82% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.3 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 13.9 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $43,840 a year. That is $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Nebraska cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Nebraska. It is number 18 of 34 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Kearney?
Share of households by yearly income. 23.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Kearney
| Size | Kearney | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,002 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $870 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,046 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,264 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,802 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Kearney overall?
Everyday prices in Nebraska overall are 10% below the U.S. average (index 90.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Kearney, so the Nebraska figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Kearney
Life in Kearney
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Kearney?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $601 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $244,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $24,460 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Kearney, NE?
Renting in Kearney costs a median of about $1,096 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Nebraska median is $1,096.
How much do I need to make to live in Kearney?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $43,840 a year, or $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Kearney cheap or expensive?
Kearney is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.5% of the typical household income of $75,197. It ranks 18th cheapest of 34 Nebraska cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Kearney?
The median homeowner in Kearney pays $3,641 a year in property taxes, about 1.49% of the median home value.
Is Kearney more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Nebraska are 10% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Kearney?
The median home value in Kearney is $244,600, about 3.3 times the typical yearly household income.
34,246 people live in Kearney. Numbers are typical (middle) values.