Kentucky to Nebraska Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 987 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Nebraska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Nebraska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job options vs diversified job market), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Runza (Bierock)), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs ranch, modern farmhouse), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Nebraska), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Burgoo, but get your taste buds ready for Runza (Bierock) & Beef Steaks
- Nebraska housing costs are 28% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Nebraska is 2.47% more affordable than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to Nebraska will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Nebraska movers is King's Moving - Moving Company in Omaha
Kentucky to Nebraska Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Nebraska
- Limited job options
- Higher humidity levels
- Fewer tech industries
- Diversified job market
- Milder climate
- Growing tech sector
- Less equestrian culture
- Limited music venues
- Fewer local spirits
- Beautiful horse farms
- Lively music scene
- Bourbon trail opportunities
Pros of moving from Kentucky to Nebraska
- Say goodbye to limited job options and hello to a diversified job market
- Look forward to moving away from higher humidity levels and moving to Nebraska with a milder climate
- Swap the fewer tech industries of Kentucky for a growing tech sector in Nebraska
Cons of moving from Kentucky to Nebraska
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful horse farms in Kentucky to live with less equestrian culture in Nebraska
- You'll lose out on the pro of a lively music scene and have to settle with the con of limited music venues
- Time to bid farewell to bourbon trail opportunities and get used to fewer local spirits in Nebraska
Kentucky vs. Nebraska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Runza (Bierock) |
Most popular meat dish | Burgoo | Beef Steaks |
Most popular street food item | Hot Brown | Cheesesteak Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Kentucky Tofu | Lentil Tacos |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Kentucky to Nebraska, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Runza (Bierock) of Nebraska. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Burgoo and sumptuous Hot Brown, Nebraska residents know they have tasty Beef Steaks and Cheesesteak Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kentucky Tofu they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Tacos of Nebraska. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like The Brown Hotel, Ramsey's Diner, and Mama Dip's. After the boxes are unpacked in Nebraska, don't wait too long before making your way to Nebraska's acclaimed eateries like The Navigator, Misty's, and Le Quartier.
When comparing lifestyles, Nebraska shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Nebraska compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Nebraska.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Nebraska
Comparison | Kentucky | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Ranch, Modern Farmhouse |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, historic details | Energy efficiency, open floor plans |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Modern Farmhouse architecture typical of Nebraska.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and historic details, Nebraska real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and open floor plans.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Nebraska is more walkable than Kentucky.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Nebraska is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
- Nebraska has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Nebraska housing costs are 28% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $257,167 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Nebraska have increased by 47% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in Nebraska is 2.47% more affordable than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Nebraska
Comparison | Kentucky | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Tornadoes, floods | Tornadoes, blizzards, droughts |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F/66Β°F | 87Β°F/63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 44Β°F/28Β°F | 36Β°F/14Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 49" | 30" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 11" | 28" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to Nebraska. Nebraska gets 14% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Nebraska has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes, blizzards, and droughts in Nebraska.
- The average summer high temperature in Nebraska is the same as Kentucky.
- The average winter lows are 14 degrees colder than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Nebraska. Nebraska receives 19 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Nebraska
Comparison | Kentucky | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $69,597 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 90.85 |
State Income Tax | 5.0 | 6.8 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.85 | 1.61 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.0 | 5.5 |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Agriculture, Transportation, Insurance |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Nebraska tend to earn about 17% more than in Kentucky
- The COLI in Nebraska is 3% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- The state income tax in NE is 6.8 compared to 5.0 in KY
- The affluence in Nebraska is moderate compared to moderate in Kentucky
- The poverty level is moderate in Nebraska compared to high in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kentucky and low in Nebraska
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Nebraska
Comparison | Kentucky | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; leans Republican | Primarily Republican |
Local Politics | Moderate to Conservative | Conservative |
Religion | Christian (majorly Baptist) | Christian (majorly Catholic and Lutheran) |
- Kentucky tends to lean mixed and leans Republican in its political climate
- Nebraska, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Republican
- Nebraska's religious environment can be described as Christian (majorly Catholic and Lutheran)
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian (majorly Baptist)
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Nebraska
Comparison | Kentucky | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Creighton University University of Nebraska at Omaha |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Beechwood Elementary Fort Mitchell; Brandeis Elementary Louisville; Rosa Parks Elementary Lexington | Brownell-Talbot School Omaha; Dundee Elementary Omaha; Pyrtle Elementary Lincoln |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Highlands Middle School Fort Thomas; South Oldham Middle School Crestwood; Barret Traditional Middle School Louisville | Elkhorn Ridge Middle School Elkhorn; Kiewit Middle School Omaha; Scott Middle School Lincoln |
Top 3 High Schools | DuPont Manual High School Louisville; Highlands High School Fort Thomas; Beechwood High School Fort Mitchell | Lincoln East High School Lincoln; Millard North High School Omaha; Elkhorn South High School Elkhorn |
Top 3 private high schools | Sacred Heart Academy Louisville; St. Xavier High School Louisville; Lexington Catholic High School Lexington | Mount Michael Benedictine School Elkhorn; Brownell-Talbot School Omaha; Marian High School Omaha |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Lexington School Lexington; Louisville Collegiate School Louisville; Sayre School Lexington | Brownell-Talbot School Omaha; Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart Omaha; Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha Omaha |
Top 3 School Districts | Fort Thomas Independent Schools Oldham County Schools Beechwood Independent School District | Elkhorn Public Schools Lincoln Public Schools Westside Community Schools |
How Much Do Kentucky to Nebraska Movers Cost?
Moving 987 miles from Kentucky to Nebraska will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,762 | 300 ft3 | $5.87 |
1 Bedroom | $2,621 | 450 ft3 | $5.82 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,330 | 750 ft3 | $5.77 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,296 | 1100 ft3 | $5.72 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,078 | 1600 ft3 | $5.67 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,122 | 1800 ft3 | $5.62 |
Top Kentucky to Nebraska Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Nebraska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

King's Moving - Moving Company in Omaha
Best moving company overall for Kentucky to Nebraska