Is it cheaper to live in Manchester or Norman?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Manchester, NH's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Manchester versus $35,000 in Norman.

Which has lower taxes, Manchester or Norman?

Manchester is taxed under New Hampshire'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).

Manchester vs Norman Cost of Living 2026

Manchester

New Hampshire

$1,430/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 $1,430 in Manchester, NH versus $1,030 in Norman, OK. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Manchester, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,415 in Manchester, NH and $65,060 in Norman, OK — about 16% higher in Manchester, NH. New Hampshire 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.

Manchester, NH

Norman, OK

Rent

Studio

$880

$820

+7% in Manchester, NH

1 Bedroom

$1,150

$863

+25% in Manchester, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,593

$1,056

+34% in Manchester, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,377

+17% in Manchester, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$336,300

$239,300

+29% in Manchester, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$77,415

$65,060

+16% in Manchester, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$56,530

$47,230

+16% in Manchester, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.9 yr

31.6 yr

+6.3 yr in Manchester, NH

Homeownership

49.3%

52.7%

+3.4 pp in Norman, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.5%

46.2%

+12.7 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

23.8 min

22.2 min

+1.6 min in Manchester, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

339.5

268.6

+21% in Manchester, NH

Property Crime

1,691.4

2,294.1

+36% 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

49.2°F

61.5°F

+12.3°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

44.6 in

36.5 in

+8.1 in in Manchester, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Norman, OK

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

27.3

13.4

+51% in Manchester, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.53

$27.15

+11% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Manchester, NH

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Manchester, NH

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Norman, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Manchester, NH

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Manchester, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Manchester, NH

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NH / OK)

None

4.5%

+4.5 pp in OK

Income Tax (top rate)

None

4.50%

+4.5 pp in OK

Manchester vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Manchester or Norman?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Manchester, NH's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Manchester than in Norman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Manchester versus $35,000 in Norman.
Which has lower taxes, Manchester or Norman?: Manchester is taxed under New Hampshire'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).