Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Norman?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Bellevue, NE's $1,160, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $35,000 in Norman.

Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Norman?

Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Bellevue vs Norman Cost of Living 2026

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/mo est.

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,160 in Bellevue, NE versus $1,030 in Norman, OK. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bellevue, NE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,343 in Bellevue, NE and $65,060 in Norman, OK — about 26% higher in Bellevue, NE. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Bellevue, NE

Norman, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,106

$820

+26% in Bellevue, NE

1 Bedroom

$1,008

$863

+14% in Bellevue, NE

2 Bedroom

$1,190

$1,056

+11% in Bellevue, NE

3 Bedroom

$1,660

$1,377

+17% in Bellevue, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$230,800

$239,300

+4% in Norman, OK

Income

Median Household Income

$87,343

$65,060

+26% in Bellevue, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$47,230

+5% in Bellevue, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

31.6 yr

+4.5 yr in Bellevue, NE

Homeownership

65.5%

52.7%

+12.8 pp in Bellevue, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.4%

46.2%

+12.8 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

20.8 min

22.2 min

+1.4 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

100.8

268.6

+166% in Norman, OK

Property Crime

1,149.4

2,294.1

+100% 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

51.1°F

61.5°F

+10.4°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

30.6 in

36.5 in

+5.9 in in Norman, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

13.4

+2% in Bellevue, NE

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.53

$27.15

+75% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Bellevue, NE

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Norman, OK

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Bellevue, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Bellevue, NE

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Bellevue, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / OK)

5.5%

4.5%

+1.0 pp in NE

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

4.50%

+0.0 pp in NE

Bellevue vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Norman?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Bellevue, NE's $1,160, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Norman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $35,000 in Norman.
Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Norman?: Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).