Living Cost Compare
Norman

Oklahoma

$1,050/mo est.

vs
South Burlington

Vermont

$1,790/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 $1,790 in South Burlington, VT. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 41% cheaper to live in day-to-day than South Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,060 in Norman, OK and $97,229 in South Burlington, VT — about 33% higher in South Burlington, VT. 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
South Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio
$820
$1,557
+90% in South Burlington, VT
1 Bedroom
$863
$1,533
+78% in South Burlington, VT
2 Bedroom
$1,056
$1,805
+71% in South Burlington, VT
3 Bedroom
$1,377
$2,356
+71% in South Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$239,300
$399,600
+67% in South Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income
$65,060
$97,229
+49% in South Burlington, VT
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,230
$60,020
+27% in South Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
31.6 yr
38.8 yr
+7.2 yr in South Burlington, VT
Homeownership
52.7%
60.1%
+7.4 pp in South Burlington, VT
Bachelor's+ (25+)
46.2%
65.1%
+18.9 pp in South Burlington, VT
Avg Commute
22.2 min
18.9 min
+3.3 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
268.6
239.4
+11% in Norman, OK
Property Crime
2,294.1
4,446
+94% in South Burlington, 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
46.0°F
+15.5°F in Norman, OK
Annual Precipitation
36.5 in
36.8 in
+0.3 in in South Burlington, VT

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.94/gal
+2% in South Burlington, VT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.3
24.4
+71% in South Burlington, 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 South Burlington, VT
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.92
+10% in South Burlington, VT
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.19
+1% in Norman, OK
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.90
+7% in South Burlington, VT
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.19
+15% in South Burlington, VT
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in South Burlington, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OK / VT)
4.5%
6%
+1.5 pp in VT
Income Tax (top rate)
4.50%
8.75%
+4.3 pp in VT

Norman vs South Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norman or South Burlington?
Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below South Burlington, VT's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norman than in South Burlington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $61,000 in South Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Norman or South Burlington?
Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); South Burlington 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).