Is it cheaper to live in Madison or Norman?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Madison, WI's $1,410, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Madison versus $35,000 in Norman.

Which has lower taxes, Madison or Norman?

Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Madison vs Norman Cost of Living 2026

Madison

Wisconsin

$1,410/mo est.

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,410 in Madison, WI versus $1,030 in Norman, OK. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Madison, WI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $76,983 in Madison, WI and $65,060 in Norman, OK — about 15% higher in Madison, WI. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Madison, WI

Norman, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,018

$820

+19% in Madison, WI

1 Bedroom

$1,219

$863

+29% in Madison, WI

2 Bedroom

$1,432

$1,056

+26% in Madison, WI

3 Bedroom

$1,766

$1,377

+22% in Madison, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$346,900

$239,300

+31% in Madison, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$76,983

$65,060

+15% in Madison, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$58,080

$47,230

+19% in Madison, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

31.6 yr

+0.2 yr in Madison, WI

Homeownership

46.6%

52.7%

+6.1 pp in Norman, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

59.2%

46.2%

+13.0 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

19.4 min

22.2 min

+2.8 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

259.5

268.6

+4% in Norman, OK

Property Crime

1,884.5

2,294.1

+22% 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

46.5°F

61.5°F

+15.0°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

34.5 in

36.5 in

+2.0 in in Norman, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.7

13.4

+32% in Madison, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$27.15

+130% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Madison, WI

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Norman, OK

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Madison, WI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Madison, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / OK)

4.5%

+0.5 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

4.50%

+3.2 pp in WI

Madison vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Madison or Norman?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Madison, WI's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Madison than in Norman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Madison versus $35,000 in Norman.
Which has lower taxes, Madison or Norman?: Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% 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).