Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Rochester?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Rochester, MN's $1,280, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $44,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Norman or Rochester?

Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax).

Norman vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

Rochester

Minnesota

$1,280/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 $1,280 in Rochester, MN. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rochester, MN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,060 in Norman, OK and $87,767 in Rochester, MN — about 26% higher in Rochester, MN. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.

Norman, OK

Rochester, MN

Rent

Studio

$820

$1,080

+32% in Rochester, MN

1 Bedroom

$863

$1,106

+28% in Rochester, MN

2 Bedroom

$1,056

$1,243

+18% in Rochester, MN

3 Bedroom

$1,377

$1,646

+20% in Rochester, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$239,300

$287,500

+20% in Rochester, MN

Income

Median Household Income

$65,060

$87,767

+35% in Rochester, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,230

$60,620

+28% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.6 yr

36.4 yr

+4.8 yr in Rochester, MN

Homeownership

52.7%

65.4%

+12.7 pp in Rochester, MN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.2%

50.1%

+3.9 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

22.2 min

17.2 min

+5.0 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

268.6

158.9

+41% in Norman, OK

Property Crime

2,294.1

1,379

+40% 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

61.5°F

45.4°F

+16.1°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

36.5 in

33.0 in

+3.5 in in Norman, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.95/gal

about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Minnesota.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.4

16.9

+27% in Rochester, MN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.15

$14.95

+45% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rochester, MN

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Norman, OK

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Rochester, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Rochester, MN

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Rochester, MN

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OK / MN)

4.5%

6.875%

+2.4 pp in MN

Income Tax (top rate)

4.50%

9.85%

+5.3 pp in MN

Norman vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Rochester?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Rochester, MN's $1,280, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norman than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $44,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Norman or Rochester?: Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% 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).