Estimate your monthly mortgage payment in Kearney. With a median home price near $230,000 and a property tax rate around 1.7%, see your full principal, interest, tax, and insurance payment.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
The median home price in Kearney is about $230,000, and Buffalo County has an effective property tax rate near 1.7% of value per year. Nebraska levies a graduated state income tax (phasing down toward a lower top rate) and funds local services through property taxes that are among the higher in the country, with a homestead exemption and a refundable property tax credit easing the burden on owners.
| Cost Item | Kearney Estimate |
|---|---|
| Median Home Price (2026) | $230,000 |
| 20% Down Payment | $46,000 |
| Loan Amount (80% LTV) | $184,000 |
| Effective Property Tax Rate | 1.7% per year |
| Est. Annual Property Tax | $3,910/year |
| Est. Monthly Property Tax | $326/month |
| Average Rent (2-bedroom) | $1,000/month |
Your payment includes principal and interest (fixed for a fixed-rate loan), plus property tax and insurance, typically escrowed. With less than 20% down you also pay PMI, usually 0.5% to 1.5% of the loan per year until you reach 20% equity.
Kearney sits along Interstate 80 in central Nebraska and is home to the University of Nebraska at Kearney, with an economy built on higher education, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and its role as a travel and convention stop on the Platte River.
| Local Metric | Kearney (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 35,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Buffalo County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 76 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $17.75/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $37.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $12.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $800/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,000/month |
| Median home price | $230,000 |
| Median household income | $58,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 7% |
| Effective property tax rate | 1.7% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The median home price in Kearney is approximately $230,000 in 2026. A 20% down payment is about $46,000, leaving a loan of roughly $184,000. Prices vary widely by neighborhood.
The effective property tax rate in Buffalo County is about 1.7% of value per year. On a $230,000 home that is roughly $3,910/year, or about $326/month, usually collected through escrow.
A common guideline keeps housing payments (PITI) under 28% of gross monthly income. On a $230,000 home with 20% down at 6.75% over 30 years, plan for a healthy six-figure household income to stay within that guideline in Kearney.
Average rent in Kearney is about $800/month for a 1-bedroom and $1,000 for a 2-bedroom. Compare that to the calculated PITI payment above. In many Nebraska metros, moderate home prices keep monthly buying costs close to rent, though relatively high property taxes can change the math, so compare both carefully.
Most conventional lenders want 620+, FHA allows 580 with 3.5% down, and VA and USDA loans have no set minimum but lenders prefer 620+. A score of 740+ earns the best rates and can save tens of thousands over the loan.