← All States

Nebraska

Moderate tax burden · COL index 91

Wins 9 categories

VS

California

High tax burden · COL index 142

Wins 3 categories

California's top income tax rate is 13.3% vs Nebraska's 3.99%. Cost of living in California (index 142) runs 56% higher than Nebraska (index 91). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Nebraska averages 1.44% annually vs California's 0.71%. The median home in California costs $790K vs $265K in Nebraska.

Nebraska
California

Taxes

3.99%
Income Tax (top rate)
13.3%
1.44%/yr
Property Tax Rate
0.71%/yr
6.94%
Sales Tax (avg)
8.82%
Yes
Social Security Tax
Yes
Yes
Estate Tax
Yes
As income
Capital Gains Tax
As income

Housing & Cost of Living

91
COL Index (100=avg)
142
$265K
Median Home Price
$790K
$1,150/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$2,300/mo
$2K/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

311
Violent Crime / 100K
499
1,956
Property Crime / 100K
2,027

Healthcare

#26 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#13 of 50
78.6 yrs
Life Expectancy
79.2 yrs
7.1%
Uninsured Rate
6.8%
Yes
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

#18 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#20 of 50
Yes
School Choice / Vouchers
No

Childcare

$1,000/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$2,200/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$125/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$175/mo
$460/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$620/mo
#5 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#49 of 50

Social Policy

F
Gun Laws Grade
A
R+19.0
2024 Presidential Margin
D+20.0

Category wins

9

Nebraska

3

California

Run the full slider tool to score these states against your specific income, home value, retirement, and lifestyle priorities.

Score For My Profile →

People Also Ask

Is $100,000 a good salary in Nebraska?

Is moving to Nebraska a good idea?

Is $70,000 enough to live in California?

Why are people moving to Nebraska?

Thinking of moving to Nebraska? The Cornhusker State has a $148.6 billion economy, with growing jobs in the healthcare, technical services, and manufacturing sectors. Plus, with its top-notch education and low crime rates, it ranks among the top 5 states to live in 2025. But the move comes with trade-offs.

Full Nebraska Profile →Full California Profile →

Your Priorities

Adjust and every page updates live

Quick Profiles

Dial in your priorities

Annual Income

$150K
$0$500K$5M+

Retirement Savings

$0
None$500K$10M+

Social Security

None
None$150K/yr

My Property Is Worth

$400K
Tax burden ↓$1M$50M+

Home Buying Budget

$400K
Hard to find$250K$5M+

Monthly Rent Budget

Don't care
Don't care$10K/mo

Job Market

Don't care
Don't careHot market

Airport Access

Don't care
Don't careMust have hub

City vs Country

Mid-size city
Deep countryBig city

Sunshine

Don't care
Don't careMax sunshine

Food Scene

Don't care
Don't careWorld-class

Political Preference

Neutral
LiberalConservative

Gun Laws

Neutral
Gun Control2A Freedom

Abortion Access

Neutral
Pro-ChoiceNeutralPro-Life

Community

None
AvoidDon't careSeek

Sports & Entertainment

Don't care
Don't careMust have pro teams

Cannabis Laws

Neutral
Prefer LegalNeutralPrefer Prohibition

Retiree Community

Neutral
Young areaRetirement-heavy

Dating Market

Neutral
Singles sceneFamily community