Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Seattle?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 49% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $74,000 in Seattle.

Which has lower taxes, Norman or Seattle?

Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Norman vs Seattle Cost of Living 2026

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

Seattle

Washington

$2,030/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 $2,030 in Seattle, WA. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 49% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,060 in Norman, OK and $121,984 in Seattle, WA — about 47% higher in Seattle, WA. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Norman, OK

Seattle, WA

Rent

Studio

$820

$1,638

+100% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$863

$1,858

+115% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,056

$2,359

+123% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,377

$2,918

+112% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$239,300

$912,100

+281% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$65,060

$121,984

+87% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,230

$72,610

+54% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.6 yr

35.5 yr

+3.9 yr in Seattle, WA

Homeownership

52.7%

44.2%

+8.5 pp in Norman, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.2%

67.5%

+21.3 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

22.2 min

26.6 min

+4.4 min in Seattle, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

268.6

788.6

+194% in Seattle, WA

Property Crime

2,294.1

5,108.8

+123% in Seattle, WA

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

53.5°F

+8.0°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

36.5 in

37.7 in

+1.2 in in Seattle, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.31/gal

+35% in Seattle, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Seattle.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs King County Metro (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.4

14.9

+12% in Seattle, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.15

$20.41

+25% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Norman, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Seattle, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Seattle, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OK / WA)

4.5%

6.5%

+2.0 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.50%

None

+4.5 pp in OK

Norman vs Seattle — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Seattle?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 49% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norman than in Seattle?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $74,000 in Seattle.
Which has lower taxes, Norman or Seattle?: Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).