Living Cost Compare
Norman

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

vs
Oklahoma City

Oklahoma

$1,050/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,030 in Norman, OK versus $1,050 in Oklahoma City, OK. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Oklahoma City, OK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,060 in Norman, OK and $66,702 in Oklahoma City, OK — about 2% higher in Oklahoma City, OK. Both cities are in Oklahoma, so state taxes are identical: a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Norman, OK
Oklahoma City, OK

Rent

Studio
$820
$795
+3% in Norman, OK
1 Bedroom
$863
$882
+2% in Oklahoma City, OK
2 Bedroom
$1,056
$1,085
+3% in Oklahoma City, OK
3 Bedroom
$1,377
$1,356
+2% in Norman, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$239,300
$215,100
+10% in Norman, OK

Income

Median Household Income
$65,060
$66,702
+3% in Oklahoma City, OK
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,230
$47,230
about equal

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
31.6 yr
35.0 yr
+3.4 yr in Oklahoma City, OK
Homeownership
52.7%
59.1%
+6.4 pp in Oklahoma City, OK
Bachelor's+ (25+)
46.2%
34.0%
+12.2 pp in Norman, OK
Avg Commute
22.2 min
22.2 min
about equal

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
268.6
685.9
+155% in Oklahoma City, OK
Property Crime
2,294.1
2,929.1
+28% in Oklahoma City, OK

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
61.5°F
61.5°F
about equal
Annual Precipitation
36.5 in
36.5 in
about equal

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)
—
$1.75

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
13.4
13.4
about equal
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$27.15
$27.15
about equal

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.00
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.75
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.21
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.45
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$1.90
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OK / OK)
4.5%
4.5%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
4.50%
4.50%
about equal

Norman vs Oklahoma City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Oklahoma City?
Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Oklahoma City, OK's $1,050, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norman than in Oklahoma City?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $35,000 in Oklahoma City.
Which has lower taxes, Norman or Oklahoma City?
Neither — both are in Oklahoma, so they share the same state tax rates: 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).