Nebraska to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a 987 mile interstate move from Nebraska to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in Nebraska vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Runza vs Hot Brown), real estate & housing (ranch and modern farmhouse vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Nebraska), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Runza and Beef Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Hot Brown & Fried Chicken
- Kentucky housing costs are 22% less expensive than they are in Nebraska
- Rent in Kentucky is 2.54% more expensive than in Nebraska
- Moving from Nebraska to Kentucky will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Nebraska to Kentucky movers is King's Moving - Moving Company in Omaha
Nebraska to Kentucky Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Nebraska to Kentucky
- Harsh winters
- Flat landscape
- Limited nightlife
- Sparse population
- Mild winters
- Beautiful horse farms
- Vibrant cities
- Welcoming communities
- Higher humidity
- Increases in traffic
- Limited job diversity
- Higher housing costs
- Friendly people
- Low crime rate
- Agricultural industry
- Affordable living
Pros of moving from Nebraska to Kentucky
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from a flat landscape and moving to Kentucky with beautiful horse farms
- Swap the limited nightlife of Nebraska for vibrant cities in Kentucky
- Get ready for welcoming communities in Kentucky
Cons of moving from Nebraska to Kentucky
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from friendly people in Nebraska to live with higher humidity in Kentucky
- You'll lose out on the pro of a low crime rate and have to settle with the con of increases in traffic
- Time to bid farewell to the agricultural industry and get used to limited job diversity in Kentucky
- Swap affordable living for higher housing costs
Nebraska vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Nebraska | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Runza | Hot Brown |
Most popular meat dish | Beef Steak | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Corn Dogs | Burgoo |
Most popular vegan food | Tempeh Reuben | Vegetable Plate |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Nebraska to Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic Runza of Nebraska for the equally delicious Hot Brown of Kentucky. And while the locals in Nebraska rave about their flavorful Beef Steak and sumptuous Corn Dogs, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Burgoo to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tempeh Reuben they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetable Plate of Kentucky. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Nebraska eateries like The Drover, Misty's Steakhouse, and Block 16. After the boxes are unpacked in Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like Mammy's Kitchen, Proof on Main, and Jack Fry's.
When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Nebraska. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Kentucky, compared to what you are used to in Nebraska. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Kentucky.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Nebraska and Kentucky
Comparison | Nebraska | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch and Modern Farmhouse | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, dual car garages | Historic details, proximity to parks |
- The Ranch and Modern Farmhouse architecture that Nebraska is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Kentucky.
- Compared to Nebraska's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and dual car garages, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and proximity to parks.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Kentucky is less walkable than Nebraska.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Kentucky is less bike-friendly than Nebraska.
- Kentucky has less of an urban feel than Nebraska.
- Kentucky housing costs are 22% less expensive than they are in Nebraska, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to Nebraskaβs $257,167.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47% compared to a 47% increase in Nebraska.
- Rent in Kentucky is 2.54% more expensive than in Nebraska.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Nebraska and Kentucky
Comparison | Nebraska | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
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, Blizzards | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 64Β°F | 87Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35Β°F / 13Β°F | 44Β°F / 27Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 30" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 28" | 22" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Nebraska to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 13% fewer sunshine days than Nebraska.
- Kentucky has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Nebraska.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and blizzards in Nebraska, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Kentucky.
- The average summer high temperature in Kentucky is 2 degrees warmer than in Nebraska.
- The average winter lows are 14 degrees warmer than they are in Nebraska.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 20 more inches of rain compared to Nebraska.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Nebraska and Kentucky
Comparison | Nebraska | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,597 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 90.85 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | 5.84% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.61% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.94% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Transportation | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Mining |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 15% less than in Nebraska
- The COLI in Kentucky will be 3% lower than what you are used to living in Nebraska
- The state income tax in KY is 5% compared to 5.84% in NE
- The affluence in Kentucky is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Nebraska
- The poverty level is moderate in Kentucky compared to low in Nebraska
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Nebraska and moderate in Kentucky
Political and Religious Climate in Nebraska vs. Kentucky
Comparison | Nebraska | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Conservative |
Local Politics | Mixed local governance | Conservative-leaning local governance |
Religion | Christian majority, diverse faith communities | Christian majority, strong Baptist presence |
- Nebraska tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as lean Conservative
- Kentucky's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with a strong Baptist presence
- Nebraska's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with diverse faith communities
Education Guide When Moving from Nebraska to Kentucky
Comparison | Nebraska | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Creighton University Nebraska Wesleyan University | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Paddock Road Elementary Omaha; Westbrook Elementary Omaha; Swanson Elementary Omaha | Greathouse/Shryock Traditional Louisville; Brandeis Elementary Louisville; Rosa Parks Elementary Lexington |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Elkhorn Middle School Elkhorn; Kiewit Middle School Omaha; Pound Middle School Lincoln | Barret Traditional Middle School Louisville; Meyzeek Middle School Louisville; Beaumont Middle School Lexington |
Top 3 High Schools | Lincoln East High School Lincoln; Millard North High School Omaha; Elkhorn South High School Elkhorn | DuPont Manual High School Louisville; Highlands High School Fort Thomas; Beechwood High School Fort Mitchell |
Top 3 private high schools | Brownell Talbot School Omaha; Mount Michael Benedictine School Elkhorn; Marian High School Omaha | Sacred Heart Academy Louisville; Trinity High School Louisville; St. Xavier High School Louisville |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School Omaha; Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart Omaha; Omaha Christian Academy Omaha | Louisville Collegiate School Louisville; The Lexington School Lexington; The Sayre School Lexington |
Top 3 School Districts | Elkhorn Public Schools Westside Community Schools Millard Public Schools | Oldham County Schools Fayette County Public Schools Bowling Green Independent School District |
How Much Do Nebraska to Kentucky Movers Cost?
Moving 987 miles from Nebraska to Kentucky 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 Nebraska to Kentucky Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Nebraska to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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