Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Springfield?

Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Norman, OK's $1,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $31,000 in Springfield.

Which has lower taxes, Norman or Springfield?

Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax).

Norman vs Springfield Cost of Living 2026

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

Springfield

Missouri

$940/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 $940 in Springfield, MO. Overall, Springfield, MO is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norman, OK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,060 in Norman, OK and $45,984 in Springfield, MO — about 29% higher in Norman, OK. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.

Norman, OK

Springfield, MO

Rent

Studio

$820

$760

+7% in Norman, OK

1 Bedroom

$863

$772

+11% in Norman, OK

2 Bedroom

$1,056

$926

+12% in Norman, OK

3 Bedroom

$1,377

$1,158

+16% in Norman, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$239,300

$165,200

+31% in Norman, OK

Income

Median Household Income

$65,060

$45,984

+29% in Norman, OK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,230

$45,780

+3% in Norman, OK

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.6 yr

33.6 yr

+2.0 yr in Springfield, MO

Homeownership

52.7%

42.9%

+9.8 pp in Norman, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.2%

30.3%

+15.9 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

22.2 min

18.0 min

+4.2 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

268.6

1,189.8

+343% in Springfield, MO

Property Crime

2,294.1

4,231.6

+84% in Springfield, MO

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

56.3°F

+5.2°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

36.5 in

45.6 in

+9.0 in in Springfield, MO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.4

13.7

+2% in Springfield, MO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.15

$24.13

+11% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Springfield, MO

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Norman, OK

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Springfield, MO

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Springfield, MO

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Springfield, MO

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OK / MO)

4.5%

4.225%

+0.3 pp in OK

Income Tax (top rate)

4.50%

4.70%

+0.2 pp in MO

Norman vs Springfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Springfield?: Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Norman, OK's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norman than in Springfield?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $31,000 in Springfield.
Which has lower taxes, Norman or Springfield?: Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% 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).