Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Worcester?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $41,000 in Worcester.

Which has lower taxes, Norman or Worcester?

Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Norman vs Worcester Cost of Living 2026

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,050/mo est.

Worcester

Massachusetts

$1,340/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 $1,340 in Worcester, MA. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Worcester, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,060 in Norman, OK and $67,544 in Worcester, MA — about 4% higher in Worcester, MA. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Norman, OK

Worcester, MA

Rent

Studio

$820

$1,087

+33% in Worcester, MA

1 Bedroom

$863

$1,028

+19% in Worcester, MA

2 Bedroom

$1,056

$1,476

+40% in Worcester, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,377

$1,675

+22% in Worcester, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$239,300

$339,500

+42% in Worcester, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$65,060

$67,544

+4% in Worcester, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,230

$57,830

+22% in Worcester, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.6 yr

34.1 yr

+2.5 yr in Worcester, MA

Homeownership

52.7%

42.4%

+10.3 pp in Norman, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.2%

34.1%

+12.1 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

22.2 min

25.1 min

+2.9 min in Worcester, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

268.6

640.2

+138% in Worcester, MA

Property Crime

2,294.1

1,580.3

+31% in Norman, OK

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

47.9°F

+13.6°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

36.5 in

48.1 in

+11.5 in in Worcester, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.07/gal

+6% in Worcester, MA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.3

29.6

+107% in Worcester, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.25

$30.66

+2% in Norman, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Worcester, MA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Worcester, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Norman, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Worcester, MA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Worcester, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Worcester, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OK / MA)

4.5%

6.25%

+1.8 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.50%

9.00%

+4.5 pp in MA

Norman vs Worcester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Worcester?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norman than in Worcester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Norman versus $41,000 in Worcester.
Which has lower taxes, Norman or Worcester?: Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).