Living Cost Compare
Norman

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

vs
Richmond

Virginia

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Richmond, VA. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Richmond, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,060 in Norman, OK and $62,671 in Richmond, VA — about 4% higher in Norman, OK. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Norman, OK
Richmond, VA

Rent

Studio
$820
$1,183
+44% in Richmond, VA
1 Bedroom
$863
$1,195
+38% in Richmond, VA
2 Bedroom
$1,056
$1,374
+30% in Richmond, VA
3 Bedroom
$1,377
$1,447
+5% in Richmond, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$239,300
$328,100
+37% in Richmond, VA

Income

Median Household Income
$65,060
$62,671
+4% in Norman, OK
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,230
$51,460
+9% in Richmond, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
31.6 yr
34.5 yr
+2.9 yr in Richmond, VA
Homeownership
52.7%
43.5%
+9.2 pp in Norman, OK
Bachelor's+ (25+)
46.2%
44.1%
+2.1 pp in Norman, OK
Avg Commute
22.2 min
22.1 min
+0.1 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
268.6
349
+30% in Richmond, VA
Property Crime
2,294.1
3,240.2
+41% in Richmond, VA

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
58.9°F
+2.6°F in Norman, OK
Annual Precipitation
36.5 in
43.6 in
+7.1 in in Richmond, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.86/gal
+2% in Norman, OK

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
13.4
17.6
+32% in Richmond, VA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$27.15
$23.66
+13% in Norman, OK

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 / VA)
4.5%
5.3%
+0.8 pp in VA
Income Tax (top rate)
4.50%
5.75%
+1.3 pp in VA

Norman vs Richmond — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Richmond?
Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Richmond, VA's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norman than in Richmond?
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 Richmond.
Which has lower taxes, Norman or Richmond?
Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).