Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Rochester?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Rochester, NY's $1,160, mainly because of electricity costs.

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 $34,000 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 New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax).

Norman vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

Rochester

New York

$1,160/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 $1,160 in Rochester, NY. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rochester, NY, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $65,060 in Norman, OK and $46,628 in Rochester, NY — about 28% higher in Norman, OK. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Norman, OK

Rochester, NY

Rent

Studio

$820

$750

+9% in Norman, OK

1 Bedroom

$863

$857

+1% in Norman, OK

2 Bedroom

$1,056

$1,114

+5% in Rochester, NY

3 Bedroom

$1,377

$1,240

+10% in Norman, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$239,300

$120,600

+50% in Norman, OK

Income

Median Household Income

$65,060

$46,628

+28% in Norman, OK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,230

$51,210

+8% in Rochester, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.6 yr

33.5 yr

+1.9 yr in Rochester, NY

Homeownership

52.7%

37.2%

+15.5 pp in Norman, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.2%

29.9%

+16.3 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

22.2 min

18.9 min

+3.3 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

268.6

690

+157% in Rochester, NY

Property Crime

2,294.1

3,533.4

+54% in Rochester, NY

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

48.2°F

+13.3°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

36.5 in

34.3 in

+2.3 in in Norman, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.04/gal

+3% in Rochester, NY

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs New York.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.4

29.9

+124% in Rochester, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.15

$22.74

+16% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rochester, NY

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Rochester, NY

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Norman, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Rochester, NY

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Rochester, NY

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Rochester, NY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OK / NY)

4.5%

+0.5 pp in OK

Income Tax (top rate)

4.50%

10.90%

+6.4 pp in NY

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 11% below Rochester, NY's $1,160, mainly because of electricity costs.
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 $34,000 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 New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).