Is it cheaper to live in Juneau or Norman?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Juneau, AK's $1,530, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Juneau versus $35,000 in Norman.

Which has lower taxes, Juneau or Norman?

Juneau is taxed under Alaska's rules (no state income tax and no state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Juneau vs Norman Cost of Living 2026

Juneau

Alaska

$1,530/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 $1,530 in Juneau, AK versus $1,050 in Norman, OK. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Juneau, AK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $100,513 in Juneau, AK and $65,060 in Norman, OK — about 35% higher in Juneau, AK. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Juneau, AK

Norman, OK

Rent

Studio

$993

$820

+17% in Juneau, AK

1 Bedroom

$1,257

$863

+31% in Juneau, AK

2 Bedroom

$1,647

$1,056

+36% in Juneau, AK

3 Bedroom

$1,949

$1,377

+29% in Juneau, AK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$432,500

$239,300

+45% in Juneau, AK

Income

Median Household Income

$100,513

$65,060

+35% in Juneau, AK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

—

$47,230

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

39.8 yr

31.6 yr

+8.2 yr in Juneau, AK

Homeownership

64.4%

52.7%

+11.7 pp in Juneau, AK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

40.5%

46.2%

+5.7 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

15.8 min

22.2 min

+6.4 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

515.6

268.6

+48% in Juneau, AK

Property Crime

2,113.1

2,294.1

+9% 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

42.1°F

61.5°F

+19.4°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

62.3 in

36.5 in

+25.8 in in Juneau, AK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$3.85/gal

+26% in Juneau, AK

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

28.2

14.3

+49% in Juneau, AK

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.35

$31.25

+80% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Juneau, AK

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Juneau, AK

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Norman, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Juneau, AK

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Juneau, AK

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Juneau, AK

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AK / OK)

None

4.5%

+4.5 pp in OK

Income Tax (top rate)

None

4.50%

+4.5 pp in OK

Juneau vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Juneau or Norman?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Juneau, AK's $1,530, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Juneau than in Norman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Juneau versus $35,000 in Norman.
Which has lower taxes, Juneau or Norman?: Juneau is taxed under Alaska's rules (no state income tax and no 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).