Is it cheaper to live in Idaho Falls or Norman?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Norman, OK's $1,050, mainly because of natural gas costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Idaho Falls versus $35,000 in Norman.

Which has lower taxes, Idaho Falls or Norman?

Idaho Falls is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).

Idaho Falls vs Norman Cost of Living 2026

Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/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 $970 in Idaho Falls, ID versus $1,050 in Norman, OK. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norman, OK, driven mainly by natural gas costs.

Median household income is $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID and $65,060 in Norman, OK — about 7% higher in Idaho Falls, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Idaho Falls, ID

Norman, OK

Rent

Studio

$818

$820

+0% in Norman, OK

1 Bedroom

$827

$863

+4% in Norman, OK

2 Bedroom

$957

$1,056

+10% in Norman, OK

3 Bedroom

$1,278

$1,377

+8% in Norman, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$298,600

$239,300

+20% in Idaho Falls, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$69,630

$65,060

+7% in Idaho Falls, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,800

$47,230

+1% in Norman, OK

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.5 yr

31.6 yr

+1.9 yr in Idaho Falls, ID

Homeownership

64.1%

52.7%

+11.4 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.0%

46.2%

+15.2 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

18.2 min

22.2 min

+4.0 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

365.3

268.6

+26% in Idaho Falls, ID

Property Crime

1,235.5

2,294.1

+86% 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

44.2°F

61.5°F

+17.3°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

10.4 in

36.5 in

+26.1 in in Norman, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.85/gal

+10% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

14.3

+0% in Idaho Falls, ID

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$31.25

+176% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Idaho Falls, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Norman, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Idaho Falls, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Idaho Falls, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / OK)

4.5%

+1.5 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

4.50%

+0.8 pp in ID

Idaho Falls vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Idaho Falls or Norman?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Norman, OK's $1,050, mainly because of natural gas costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho Falls than in Norman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Idaho Falls versus $35,000 in Norman.
Which has lower taxes, Idaho Falls or Norman?: Idaho Falls is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).