Is it cheaper to live in New Haven or Norman?

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

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in New Haven versus $35,000 in Norman.

Which has lower taxes, New Haven or Norman?

New Haven is taxed under Connecticut's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

New Haven vs Norman Cost of Living 2026

New Haven

Connecticut

$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 New Haven, CT versus $1,050 in Norman, OK. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New Haven, CT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,771 in New Haven, CT and $65,060 in Norman, OK — about 17% higher in Norman, OK. Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

New Haven, CT

Norman, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,159

$820

+29% in New Haven, CT

1 Bedroom

$1,275

$863

+32% in New Haven, CT

2 Bedroom

$1,473

$1,056

+28% in New Haven, CT

3 Bedroom

$1,636

$1,377

+16% in New Haven, CT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$249,000

$239,300

+4% in New Haven, CT

Income

Median Household Income

$53,771

$65,060

+21% in Norman, OK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$60,060

$47,230

+21% in New Haven, CT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.9 yr

31.6 yr

+0.3 yr in New Haven, CT

Homeownership

28.4%

52.7%

+24.3 pp in Norman, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.7%

46.2%

+8.5 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

21.0 min

22.2 min

+1.2 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

536.3

268.6

+50% in New Haven, CT

Property Crime

3,601.6

2,294.1

+36% in New Haven, CT

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.2°F

61.5°F

+9.3°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

47.1 in

36.5 in

+10.6 in in New Haven, CT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in New Haven, CT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.3

14.3

+41% in New Haven, CT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$23.33

$31.25

+34% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in New Haven, CT

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in New Haven, CT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Norman, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in New Haven, CT

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in New Haven, CT

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in New Haven, CT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CT / OK)

6.35%

4.5%

+1.8 pp in CT

Income Tax (top rate)

6.99%

4.50%

+2.5 pp in CT

New Haven vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in New Haven or Norman?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below New Haven, CT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in New Haven than in Norman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in New Haven versus $35,000 in Norman.
Which has lower taxes, New Haven or Norman?: New Haven is taxed under Connecticut's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% 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).