Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Reno?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $48,000 in Reno.

Which has lower taxes, Norman or Reno?

Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Norman vs Reno Cost of Living 2026

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

Reno

Nevada

$1,350/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 $1,350 in Reno, NV. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Reno, NV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,060 in Norman, OK and $78,448 in Reno, NV — about 17% higher in Reno, NV. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Norman, OK

Reno, NV

Rent

Studio

$820

$964

+18% in Reno, NV

1 Bedroom

$863

$1,206

+40% in Reno, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,056

$1,518

+44% in Reno, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,377

$1,885

+37% in Reno, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$239,300

$498,600

+108% in Reno, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$65,060

$78,448

+21% in Reno, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,230

$49,660

+5% in Reno, NV

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.6 yr

37.3 yr

+5.7 yr in Reno, NV

Homeownership

52.7%

49.4%

+3.3 pp in Norman, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.2%

35.7%

+10.5 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

22.2 min

20.6 min

+1.6 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

268.6

528.9

+97% in Reno, NV

Property Crime

2,294.1

2,489.3

+9% in Reno, NV

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

53.8°F

+7.7°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

36.5 in

7.4 in

+29.1 in in Norman, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.09/gal

+29% in Reno, NV

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.4

13.6

+2% in Reno, NV

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.15

$12.09

+55% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Reno, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Reno, NV

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Norman, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Reno, NV

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Reno, NV

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Reno, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OK / NV)

4.5%

6.85%

+2.3 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

4.50%

None

+4.5 pp in OK

Norman vs Reno — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Reno?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norman than in Reno?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $48,000 in Reno.
Which has lower taxes, Norman or Reno?: Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).