Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Santa Fe?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Santa Fe, NM's $1,310, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $47,000 in Santa Fe.

Which has lower taxes, Norman or Santa Fe?

Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Santa Fe under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax).

Norman vs Santa Fe Cost of Living 2026

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

Santa Fe

New Mexico

$1,310/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 $1,310 in Santa Fe, NM. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Santa Fe, NM, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,060 in Norman, OK and $70,110 in Santa Fe, NM — about 7% higher in Santa Fe, NM. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.

Norman, OK

Santa Fe, NM

Rent

Studio

$820

$969

+18% in Santa Fe, NM

1 Bedroom

$863

$1,167

+35% in Santa Fe, NM

2 Bedroom

$1,056

$1,559

+48% in Santa Fe, NM

3 Bedroom

$1,377

$1,733

+26% in Santa Fe, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$239,300

$411,500

+72% in Santa Fe, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$65,060

$70,110

+8% in Santa Fe, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,230

$48,710

+3% in Santa Fe, NM

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.6 yr

46.4 yr

+14.8 yr in Santa Fe, NM

Homeownership

52.7%

62.8%

+10.1 pp in Santa Fe, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.2%

45.4%

+0.8 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

22.2 min

20.2 min

+2.0 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

268.6

843.3

+214% in Santa Fe, NM

Property Crime

2,294.1

5,189

+126% in Santa Fe, NM

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

51.9°F

+9.6°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

36.5 in

13.5 in

+23.0 in in Norman, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Norman, OK

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.4

14.1

+6% in Santa Fe, NM

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.15

$11.90

+56% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Santa Fe, NM

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Santa Fe, NM

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Norman, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Santa Fe, NM

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Santa Fe, NM

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Santa Fe, NM

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OK / NM)

4.5%

4.875%

+0.4 pp in NM

Income Tax (top rate)

4.50%

5.90%

+1.4 pp in NM

Norman vs Santa Fe — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Santa Fe?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Santa Fe, NM's $1,310, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norman than in Santa Fe?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $47,000 in Santa Fe.
Which has lower taxes, Norman or Santa Fe?: Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Santa Fe under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% 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).