Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Norman?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $35,000 in Norman.

Which has lower taxes, Newark or Norman?

Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Newark vs Norman Cost of Living 2026

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/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 $1,210 in Newark, NJ versus $1,030 in Norman, OK. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,416 in Newark, NJ and $65,060 in Norman, OK — about 26% higher in Norman, OK. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Newark, NJ

Norman, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,111

$820

+26% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$978

$863

+12% in Newark, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,386

$1,056

+24% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,695

$1,377

+19% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$337,800

$239,300

+29% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$48,416

$65,060

+34% in Norman, OK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$47,230

+23% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.8 yr

31.6 yr

+3.2 yr in Newark, NJ

Homeownership

24.1%

52.7%

+28.6 pp in Norman, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.4%

46.2%

+28.8 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

33.2 min

22.2 min

+11.0 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

582.5

268.6

+54% in Newark, NJ

Property Crime

1,961.8

2,294.1

+17% 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

54.9°F

61.5°F

+6.6°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

46.3 in

36.5 in

+9.7 in in Newark, NJ

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)

23.3

13.4

+43% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.93

$27.15

+70% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Newark, NJ

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Newark, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Norman, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Newark, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Newark, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NJ / OK)

6.625%

4.5%

+2.1 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

4.50%

+6.3 pp in NJ

Newark vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Norman?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Newark than in Norman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $35,000 in Norman.
Which has lower taxes, Newark or Norman?: Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).