Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Norman, OK's $1,050, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Norman or Topeka?

Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Norman vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,050/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/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 $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norman, OK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,060 in Norman, OK and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 14% higher in Norman, OK. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Norman, OK

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$820

$702

+14% in Norman, OK

1 Bedroom

$863

$758

+12% in Norman, OK

2 Bedroom

$1,056

$977

+7% in Norman, OK

3 Bedroom

$1,377

$1,177

+15% in Norman, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$239,300

$130,600

+45% in Norman, OK

Income

Median Household Income

$65,060

$55,902

+14% in Norman, OK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,230

$49,540

+5% in Topeka, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.6 yr

38.2 yr

+6.6 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

52.7%

59.2%

+6.5 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.2%

29.1%

+17.1 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

22.2 min

16.7 min

+5.5 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

268.6

856.5

+219% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

2,294.1

3,660.2

+60% in Topeka, KS

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

55.1°F

+6.4°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

36.5 in

+0.1 in in Norman, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.3

15.7

+10% in Topeka, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.25

$25.12

+20% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Topeka, KS

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Norman, OK

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Topeka, KS

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Topeka, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OK / KS)

4.5%

6.5%

+2.0 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.50%

5.58%

+1.1 pp in KS

Norman vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Norman, OK's $1,050, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norman than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Norman or Topeka?: Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% 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).