Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Rutland?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Rutland, VT's $1,120, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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 Rutland.

Which has lower taxes, Norman or Rutland?

Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Norman vs Rutland Cost of Living 2026

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,050/mo est.

Rutland

Vermont

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Rutland, VT. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rutland, VT, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $65,060 in Norman, OK and $55,000 in Rutland, VT — about 15% higher in Norman, OK. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Norman, OK

Rutland, VT

Rent

Studio

$820

$893

+9% in Rutland, VT

1 Bedroom

$863

$856

+1% in Norman, OK

2 Bedroom

$1,056

$1,097

+4% in Rutland, VT

3 Bedroom

$1,377

$1,207

+12% in Norman, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$239,300

$176,400

+26% in Norman, OK

Income

Median Household Income

$65,060

$55,000

+15% in Norman, OK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,230

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.6 yr

48.5 yr

+16.9 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

52.7%

about equal

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.2%

32.2%

+14.0 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

22.2 min

14.7 min

+7.5 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

268.6

487.8

+82% in Rutland, VT

Property Crime

2,294.1

3,973.3

+73% in Rutland, VT

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

44.6°F

+16.9°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

36.5 in

40.5 in

+3.9 in in Rutland, VT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Rutland, VT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.3

24.4

+71% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.25

$26.07

+17% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rutland, VT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Rutland, VT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Norman, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Rutland, VT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Rutland, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OK / VT)

4.5%

+1.5 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

4.50%

8.75%

+4.3 pp in VT

Norman vs Rutland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Rutland?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Rutland, VT's $1,120, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norman than in Rutland?: 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 Rutland.
Which has lower taxes, Norman or Rutland?: Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% 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).