Living Cost Compare
Norman

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

vs
St. Paul

Minnesota

$1,300/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 $1,300 in St. Paul, MN. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than St. Paul, MN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,060 in Norman, OK and $73,055 in St. Paul, MN — about 11% higher in St. Paul, 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
St. Paul, MN

Rent

Studio
$820
$995
+21% in St. Paul, MN
1 Bedroom
$863
$1,126
+30% in St. Paul, MN
2 Bedroom
$1,056
$1,384
+31% in St. Paul, MN
3 Bedroom
$1,377
$1,662
+21% in St. Paul, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$239,300
$280,300
+17% in St. Paul, MN

Income

Median Household Income
$65,060
$73,055
+12% in St. Paul, MN
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,230
$59,320
+26% in St. Paul, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
31.6 yr
33.5 yr
+1.9 yr in St. Paul, MN
Homeownership
52.7%
53.2%
+0.5 pp in St. Paul, MN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
46.2%
43.5%
+2.7 pp in Norman, OK
Avg Commute
22.2 min
22.3 min
+0.1 min in St. Paul, MN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
268.6
619
+130% in St. Paul, MN
Property Crime
2,294.1
2,897.2
+26% in St. Paul, MN

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
47.1°F
+14.4°F in Norman, OK
Annual Precipitation
36.5 in
28.5 in
+8.0 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 St. Paul, 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 St. Paul, MN
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.66
+5% in Norman, OK
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$3.63
+64% in St. Paul, MN
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.77
+5% in St. Paul, MN
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.10
+10% in St. Paul, MN
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$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 St. Paul — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norman or St. Paul?
Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below St. Paul, MN's $1,300, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norman than in St. Paul?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $45,000 in St. Paul.
Which has lower taxes, Norman or St. Paul?
Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); St. Paul 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).