Living Cost Compare
Norman

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

vs
Sioux Falls

South Dakota

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Sioux Falls, SD. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $65,060 in Norman, OK and $74,714 in Sioux Falls, SD — about 13% higher in Sioux Falls, SD. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Norman, OK
Sioux Falls, SD

Rent

Studio
$820
$825
+1% in Sioux Falls, SD
1 Bedroom
$863
$870
+1% in Sioux Falls, SD
2 Bedroom
$1,056
$1,000
+5% in Norman, OK
3 Bedroom
$1,377
$1,237
+10% in Norman, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$239,300
$271,400
+13% in Sioux Falls, SD

Income

Median Household Income
$65,060
$74,714
+15% in Sioux Falls, SD
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,230
$47,970
+2% in Sioux Falls, SD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
31.6 yr
35.1 yr
+3.5 yr in Sioux Falls, SD
Homeownership
52.7%
60.0%
+7.3 pp in Sioux Falls, SD
Bachelor's+ (25+)
46.2%
37.4%
+8.8 pp in Norman, OK
Avg Commute
22.2 min
17.0 min
+5.2 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
268.6
526.7
+96% in Sioux Falls, SD
Property Crime
2,294.1
2,927.1
+28% in Sioux Falls, SD

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
45.8°F
+15.7°F in Norman, OK
Annual Precipitation
36.5 in
26.4 in
+10.1 in in Norman, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
13.4
15.7
+18% in Sioux Falls, SD
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$27.15
$10.95
+60% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in Sioux Falls, SD
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.66
+5% in Norman, OK
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$3.63
+64% in Sioux Falls, SD
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.77
+5% in Sioux Falls, SD
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.10
+10% in Sioux Falls, SD
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 / SD)
4.5%
4.2%
+0.3 pp in OK
Income Tax (top rate)
4.50%
None
+4.5 pp in OK

Norman vs Sioux Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Sioux Falls?
They're close. Norman, OK runs about $1,030 a month and Sioux Falls, SD about $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norman than in Sioux Falls?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $35,000 in Sioux Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Norman or Sioux Falls?
Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Sioux Falls under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% 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).