Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Norman?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $62,000 a year in Meridian versus $35,000 in Norman.

Which has lower taxes, Meridian or Norman?

Meridian 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).

Meridian vs Norman Cost of Living 2026

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/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 $1,690 in Meridian, ID versus $1,050 in Norman, OK. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 38% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $98,686 in Meridian, ID and $65,060 in Norman, OK — about 34% higher in Meridian, 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.

Meridian, ID

Norman, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,523

$820

+46% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,540

$863

+44% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,489

$1,056

+29% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,893

$1,377

+27% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$485,000

$239,300

+51% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$98,686

$65,060

+34% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$47,230

+4% in Meridian, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.4 yr

31.6 yr

+5.8 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

76.1%

52.7%

+23.4 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.4%

46.2%

+1.8 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

22.3 min

22.2 min

+0.1 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

150.3

268.6

+79% in Norman, OK

Property Crime

583.5

2,294.1

+293% 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

52.5°F

61.5°F

+9.0°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

36.5 in

+24.8 in in Norman, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.85/gal

+10% in Meridian, ID

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

14.3

+0% in Meridian, 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 Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Norman, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Meridian, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Meridian, 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

Meridian vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Norman?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Meridian than in Norman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $62,000 a year in Meridian versus $35,000 in Norman.
Which has lower taxes, Meridian or Norman?: Meridian 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).