Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Spokane?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Norman or Spokane?

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

Norman vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Spokane, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,060 in Norman, OK and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 1% higher in Spokane, 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

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$820

$884

+8% in Spokane, WA

1 Bedroom

$863

$903

+5% in Spokane, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,056

$1,192

+13% in Spokane, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,377

$1,442

+5% in Spokane, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$239,300

$326,200

+36% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$65,060

$65,745

+1% in Spokane, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,230

$54,660

+16% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.6 yr

37.2 yr

+5.6 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

52.7%

58.3%

+5.6 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.2%

32.6%

+13.6 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

22.2 min

21.2 min

+1.0 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

268.6

683.6

+155% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

2,294.1

4,931.8

+115% in Spokane, 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

48.9°F

+12.6°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

36.5 in

17.8 in

+18.7 in in Norman, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.12/gal

+30% in Spokane, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.4

14.9

+12% in Spokane, 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 Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Norman, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Spokane, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Spokane, 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 Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Spokane?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norman than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Norman or Spokane?: Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Spokane 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).