Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or Norman?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 63% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $100,000 a year in Cambridge versus $35,000 in Norman.

Which has lower taxes, Cambridge or Norman?

Cambridge is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Cambridge vs Norman Cost of Living 2026

Cambridge

Massachusetts

$2,810/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 $2,810 in Cambridge, MA versus $1,050 in Norman, OK. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 63% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cambridge, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $126,469 in Cambridge, MA and $65,060 in Norman, OK — about 49% higher in Cambridge, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Cambridge, MA

Norman, OK

Rent

Studio

$2,236

$820

+63% in Cambridge, MA

1 Bedroom

$2,496

$863

+65% in Cambridge, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,980

$1,056

+65% in Cambridge, MA

3 Bedroom

$3,325

$1,377

+59% in Cambridge, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$1,040,500

$239,300

+77% in Cambridge, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$126,469

$65,060

+49% in Cambridge, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$47,230

+29% in Cambridge, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

30.5 yr

31.6 yr

+1.1 yr in Norman, OK

Homeownership

33.7%

52.7%

+19.0 pp in Norman, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

80.2%

46.2%

+34.0 pp in Cambridge, MA

Avg Commute

26.1 min

22.2 min

+3.9 min in Cambridge, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

436.7

268.6

+38% in Cambridge, MA

Property Crime

2,657.6

2,294.1

+14% in Cambridge, MA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.5°F

61.5°F

+10.0°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

36.5 in

+7.3 in in Cambridge, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.07/gal

$3.85/gal

+5% in Cambridge, MA

Area: Massachusetts vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

14.3

+52% in Cambridge, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$30.66

$31.25

+2% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Cambridge, MA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Cambridge, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Norman, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Cambridge, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Cambridge, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Cambridge, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / OK)

6.25%

4.5%

+1.8 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

4.50%

+4.5 pp in MA

Cambridge vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or Norman?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 63% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cambridge than in Norman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $100,000 a year in Cambridge versus $35,000 in Norman.
Which has lower taxes, Cambridge or Norman?: Cambridge is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).