Living Cost Compare
Milwaukee

Wisconsin

$1,040/mo est.

vs
Norman

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,040 in Milwaukee, WI versus $1,030 in Norman, OK. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Milwaukee, WI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI and $65,060 in Norman, OK — about 20% higher in Norman, OK. 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.

Milwaukee, WI
Norman, OK

Rent

Studio
$841
$820
+2% in Milwaukee, WI
1 Bedroom
$849
$863
+2% in Norman, OK
2 Bedroom
$1,031
$1,056
+2% in Norman, OK
3 Bedroom
$1,193
$1,377
+15% in Norman, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$172,000
$239,300
+39% in Norman, OK

Income

Median Household Income
$51,888
$65,060
+25% in Norman, OK
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,160
$47,230
+8% in Milwaukee, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.2 yr
31.6 yr
+0.6 yr in Milwaukee, WI
Homeownership
41.5%
52.7%
+11.2 pp in Norman, OK
Bachelor's+ (25+)
26.6%
46.2%
+19.6 pp in Norman, OK
Avg Commute
22.4 min
22.2 min
+0.2 min in Milwaukee, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,452.3
268.6
+82% in Milwaukee, WI
Property Crime
2,772.2
2,294.1
+17% in Milwaukee, WI

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
47.9°F
61.5°F
+13.6°F in Norman, OK
Annual Precipitation
34.8 in
36.5 in
+1.8 in in Norman, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.25
—

Adult base one-way fare — MCTS vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
19.7
13.4
+32% in Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee, WI
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.75
+5% in Norman, OK
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.21
+39% in Milwaukee, WI
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.45
+5% in Milwaukee, WI
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$1.90
+9% in Milwaukee, WI
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / OK)
5%
4.5%
+0.5 pp in WI
Income Tax (top rate)
7.65%
4.50%
+3.2 pp in WI

Milwaukee vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Milwaukee or Norman?
Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Milwaukee, WI's $1,040, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Milwaukee than in Norman?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Milwaukee versus $35,000 in Norman.
Which has lower taxes, Milwaukee or Norman?
Milwaukee 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).