Is it cheaper to live in Aberdeen or Norman?

Aberdeen, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $740 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Norman, OK's $1,050, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Aberdeen than in Norman?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $23,000 a year in Aberdeen versus $35,000 in Norman.

Which has lower taxes, Aberdeen or Norman?

Aberdeen is taxed under South Dakota's rules (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Aberdeen vs Norman Cost of Living 2026

Aberdeen

South Dakota

$740/mo est.

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,050/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $740 in Aberdeen, SD versus $1,050 in Norman, OK. Overall, Aberdeen, SD is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norman, OK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,715 in Aberdeen, SD and $65,060 in Norman, OK — about 2% higher in Norman, OK. South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Aberdeen, SD

Norman, OK

Rent

Studio

$529

$820

+55% in Norman, OK

1 Bedroom

$576

$863

+50% in Norman, OK

2 Bedroom

$824

$1,056

+28% in Norman, OK

3 Bedroom

$924

$1,377

+49% in Norman, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$205,500

$239,300

+16% in Norman, OK

Income

Median Household Income

$63,715

$65,060

+2% in Norman, OK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

—

$47,230

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.8 yr

31.6 yr

+4.2 yr in Aberdeen, SD

Homeownership

58.4%

52.7%

+5.7 pp in Aberdeen, SD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.6%

46.2%

+12.6 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

11.1 min

22.2 min

+11.1 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

275

268.6

+2% in Aberdeen, SD

Property Crime

1,421.2

2,294.1

+61% in Norman, OK

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

43.0°F

61.5°F

+18.5°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

21.7 in

36.5 in

+14.8 in in Norman, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.4

14.3

+7% in Aberdeen, SD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.26

$31.25

+105% in Norman, OK

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Aberdeen, SD

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Norman, OK

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Aberdeen, SD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Aberdeen, SD

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Aberdeen, SD

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — Midwest vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (SD / OK)

4.2%

4.5%

+0.3 pp in OK

Income Tax (top rate)

None

4.50%

+4.5 pp in OK

Aberdeen vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aberdeen or Norman?: Aberdeen, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $740 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Norman, OK's $1,050, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aberdeen than in Norman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $23,000 a year in Aberdeen versus $35,000 in Norman.
Which has lower taxes, Aberdeen or Norman?: Aberdeen is taxed under South Dakota's rules (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).