1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Kearney, NE
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Kearney, Nebraska as of July 2026. That's +46% lower than the citywide median of $1,451 and +44% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Kearney
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Kearney
Compare Kearney's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Nebraska
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus | $720 |
| 2 | Norfolk | $730 |
| 3 | Kearney (this page) | $785 |
| 4 | Lexington | $870 |
| 5 | Fremont | $880 |
| 6 | Grand Island | $920 |
| 7 | Plattsmouth | $950 |
| 8 | Lincoln | $975 |
| 9 | Bellevue | $1,045 |
| 10 | La Vista | $1,130 |
| 11 | Omaha | $1,151 |
| 12 | Papillion | $1,230 |
| 13 | Gretna | $1,270 |
| 14 | Bennington | $1,310 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Nebraska
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bennington | $1,310 |
| 2 | Gretna | $1,270 |
| 3 | Papillion | $1,230 |
| 4 | Omaha | $1,151 |
| 5 | La Vista | $1,130 |
| 6 | Bellevue | $1,045 |
| 7 | Lincoln | $975 |
| 8 | Plattsmouth | $950 |
| 9 | Grand Island | $920 |
| 10 | Fremont | $880 |
| 11 | Lexington | $870 |
| 12 | Kearney (this page) | $785 |
| 13 | Norfolk | $730 |
| 14 | Columbus | $720 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Kearney.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Kearney |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington, NE | 45.2 mi | $870 | +$85 (+11%) |
| Grand Island, NE | 52.9 mi | $920 | +$135 (+17%) |
| Columbus, NE | 126.8 mi | $720 | $-65 (-8%) |
| Norfolk, NE | 144 mi | $730 | $-55 (-7%) |
| Salina, KS | 164.8 mi | $760 | $-25 (-3%) |
| Lincoln, NE | 167.2 mi | $975 | +$190 (+24%) |
| Junction City, KS | 199.5 mi | $750 | $-35 (-4%) |
| Manhattan, KS | 201.2 mi | $875 | +$90 (+11%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Kearney — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Kearney?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Kearney, Nebraska is $785 per month. This is +46% below the citywide median of $1,451.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Kearney?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $31,400 ($2,617/month gross), which works out to roughly $15.10/hour at a full-time job.
Is Kearney expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Kearney's 1-bedroom median of $785 is +44% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 5th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Kearney rank for 1-bedroom rent in Nebraska?
Among the 14 cities in Nebraska with 1-bedroom data, Kearney ranks #3 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Kearney?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Columbus ($720), Norfolk ($730), Salina ($760).