Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Paterson?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $47,000 in Paterson.

Which has lower taxes, Norman or Paterson?

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

Norman vs Paterson Cost of Living 2026

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,050/mo est.

Paterson

New Jersey

$1,430/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,050 in Norman, OK versus $1,430 in Paterson, NJ. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Paterson, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,060 in Norman, OK and $53,766 in Paterson, NJ — about 17% higher in Norman, OK. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Norman, OK

Paterson, NJ

Rent

Studio

$820

$786

+4% in Norman, OK

1 Bedroom

$863

$1,183

+37% in Paterson, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,056

$1,468

+39% in Paterson, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,377

$1,729

+26% in Paterson, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$239,300

$335,400

+40% in Paterson, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$65,060

$53,766

+17% in Norman, OK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,230

$61,430

+30% in Paterson, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.6 yr

33.3 yr

+1.7 yr in Paterson, NJ

Homeownership

52.7%

26.2%

+26.5 pp in Norman, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.2%

12.5%

+33.7 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

22.2 min

23.1 min

+0.9 min in Paterson, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

268.6

1,010.1

+276% in Paterson, NJ

Property Crime

2,294.1

2,391.4

+4% in Paterson, NJ

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

52.2°F

+9.3°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

36.5 in

49.0 in

+12.5 in in Paterson, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Paterson, NJ

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.3

24.9

+74% in Paterson, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.25

$17.68

+43% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Paterson, NJ

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Paterson, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Norman, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Paterson, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Paterson, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Paterson, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OK / NJ)

4.5%

6.625%

+2.1 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

4.50%

10.75%

+6.3 pp in NJ

Norman vs Paterson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Paterson?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norman than in Paterson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $47,000 in Paterson.
Which has lower taxes, Norman or Paterson?: Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Paterson under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).