Living Cost Compare
Des Moines

Iowa

$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 Des Moines, IA versus $1,030 in Norman, OK. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norman, OK, driven mainly by natural gas costs.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $65,060 in Norman, OK — about 2% higher in Norman, OK. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA
Norman, OK

Rent

Studio
$870
$820
+6% in Des Moines, IA
1 Bedroom
$870
$863
+1% in Des Moines, IA
2 Bedroom
$1,099
$1,056
+4% in Des Moines, IA
3 Bedroom
$1,334
$1,377
+3% in Norman, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$183,700
$239,300
+30% in Norman, OK

Income

Median Household Income
$63,966
$65,060
+2% in Norman, OK
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,820
$47,230
+9% in Des Moines, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.6 yr
31.6 yr
+3.0 yr in Des Moines, IA
Homeownership
60.4%
52.7%
+7.7 pp in Des Moines, IA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
29.0%
46.2%
+17.2 pp in Norman, OK
Avg Commute
19.6 min
22.2 min
+2.6 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
707.3
268.6
+62% in Des Moines, IA
Property Crime
3,156.6
2,294.1
+27% in Des Moines, IA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
50.9°F
61.5°F
+10.6°F in Norman, OK
Annual Precipitation
36.0 in
36.5 in
+0.5 in in Norman, OK

Gas

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

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.1
13.4
+5% in Des Moines, IA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$15.72
$27.15
+73% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.00
+7% in Des Moines, IA
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.75
+5% in Norman, OK
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.21
+39% in Des Moines, IA
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.45
+5% in Des Moines, IA
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$1.90
+9% in Des Moines, IA
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / OK)
6%
4.5%
+1.5 pp in IA
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
4.50%
+0.7 pp in OK

Des Moines vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Norman?
Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Norman, OK's $1,030, mainly because of natural gas costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Norman?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $35,000 in Norman.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Norman?
Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% 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).