Living Cost Compare
Bowling Green

Kentucky

$1,020/mo est.

vs
Norman

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,020 in Bowling Green, KY versus $1,030 in Norman, OK. Overall, Bowling Green, KY is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norman, OK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,419 in Bowling Green, KY and $65,060 in Norman, OK — about 26% higher in Norman, OK. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Bowling Green, KY
Norman, OK

Rent

Studio
$878
$820
+7% in Bowling Green, KY
1 Bedroom
$833
$863
+4% in Norman, OK
2 Bedroom
$960
$1,056
+10% in Norman, OK
3 Bedroom
$1,214
$1,377
+13% in Norman, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$232,100
$239,300
+3% in Norman, OK

Income

Median Household Income
$48,419
$65,060
+34% in Norman, OK
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$45,040
$47,230
+5% in Norman, OK

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
27.9 yr
31.6 yr
+3.7 yr in Norman, OK
Homeownership
37.3%
52.7%
+15.4 pp in Norman, OK
Bachelor's+ (25+)
32.0%
46.2%
+14.2 pp in Norman, OK
Avg Commute
18.8 min
22.2 min
+3.4 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
231
268.6
+16% in Norman, OK
Property Crime
2,984.4
2,294.1
+23% in Bowling Green, KY

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
58.0°F
61.5°F
+3.5°F in Norman, OK
Annual Precipitation
49.9 in
36.5 in
+13.4 in in Bowling Green, KY

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.0
13.4
+11% in Bowling Green, KY
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$29.48
$27.15
+8% in Bowling Green, KY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.00
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.75
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.21
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.45
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$1.90
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (KY / OK)
6%
4.5%
+1.5 pp in KY
Income Tax (top rate)
3.50%
4.50%
+1.0 pp in OK

Bowling Green vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bowling Green or Norman?
Bowling Green, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Norman, OK's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bowling Green than in Norman?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Bowling Green versus $35,000 in Norman.
Which has lower taxes, Bowling Green or Norman?
Bowling Green is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% 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).