Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Wichita?

Wichita, KS 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 Wichita?

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 Wichita.

Which has lower taxes, Norman or Wichita?

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

Norman vs Wichita Cost of Living 2026

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

Wichita

Kansas

$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 Wichita, KS. Overall, Wichita, KS 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 $63,072 in Wichita, KS — about 3% 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

Wichita, KS

Rent

Studio

$820

$726

+11% in Norman, OK

1 Bedroom

$863

$761

+12% in Norman, OK

2 Bedroom

$1,056

$976

+8% in Norman, OK

3 Bedroom

$1,377

$1,199

+13% in Norman, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$239,300

$179,500

+25% in Norman, OK

Income

Median Household Income

$65,060

$63,072

+3% in Norman, OK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,230

$47,630

+1% in Wichita, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.6 yr

35.7 yr

+4.1 yr in Wichita, KS

Homeownership

52.7%

58.4%

+5.7 pp in Wichita, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.2%

30.9%

+15.3 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

22.2 min

18.9 min

+3.3 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

268.6

1,238.7

+361% in Wichita, KS

Property Crime

2,294.1

5,284.9

+130% in Wichita, 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

57.0°F

+4.5°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

36.5 in

32.6 in

+3.9 in in Norman, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.4

15.1

+13% in Wichita, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.15

$25.12

+7% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Wichita, KS

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Norman, OK

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Wichita, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Wichita, KS

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Wichita, 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 Wichita — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Wichita?: Wichita, KS 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 Wichita?: 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 Wichita.
Which has lower taxes, Norman or Wichita?: Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Wichita 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).