3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Kearney, NE
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Kearney, Nebraska as of July 2026. That's +13% lower than the citywide median of $1,451 and +41% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Nebraska
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norfolk | $1,200 |
| 2 | Lexington | $1,210 |
| 3 | Columbus | $1,240 |
| 4 | Kearney (this page) | $1,265 |
| 5 | Fremont | $1,410 |
| 6 | Grand Island | $1,430 |
| 7 | Plattsmouth | $1,510 |
| 8 | Bellevue | $1,670 |
| 9 | Lincoln | $1,691 |
| 10 | La Vista | $1,790 |
| 11 | Omaha | $1,833 |
| 12 | Papillion | $1,970 |
| 13 | Gretna | $2,020 |
| 14 | Bennington | $2,090 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Nebraska
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bennington | $2,090 |
| 2 | Gretna | $2,020 |
| 3 | Papillion | $1,970 |
| 4 | Omaha | $1,833 |
| 5 | La Vista | $1,790 |
| 6 | Lincoln | $1,691 |
| 7 | Bellevue | $1,670 |
| 8 | Plattsmouth | $1,510 |
| 9 | Grand Island | $1,430 |
| 10 | Fremont | $1,410 |
| 11 | Kearney (this page) | $1,265 |
| 12 | Columbus | $1,240 |
| 13 | Lexington | $1,210 |
| 14 | Norfolk | $1,200 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Kearney.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Kearney |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington, NE | 45.2 mi | $1,210 | $-55 (-4%) |
| Grand Island, NE | 52.9 mi | $1,430 | +$165 (+13%) |
| Columbus, NE | 126.8 mi | $1,240 | $-25 (-2%) |
| Norfolk, NE | 144 mi | $1,200 | $-65 (-5%) |
| Salina, KS | 164.8 mi | $1,190 | $-75 (-6%) |
| Lincoln, NE | 167.2 mi | $1,691 | +$426 (+34%) |
| Junction City, KS | 199.5 mi | $1,390 | +$125 (+10%) |
| Manhattan, KS | 201.2 mi | $1,460 | +$195 (+15%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Kearney — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Kearney?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Kearney, Nebraska is $1,265 per month. This is +13% below the citywide median of $1,451.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Kearney?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $50,600 ($4,217/month gross), which works out to roughly $24.33/hour at a full-time job.
Is Kearney expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Kearney's 3-bedroom median of $1,265 is +41% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 5th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Kearney rank for 3-bedroom rent in Nebraska?
Among the 14 cities in Nebraska with 3-bedroom data, Kearney ranks #4 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Kearney?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Lexington ($1,210), Columbus ($1,240), Norfolk ($1,200).