Skyline of Norman
Cost of Living: 92 128,000

Norman, OK, US

Home of the University of Oklahoma with a vibrant college town and the National Weather Center.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Norman is a city in OK with a population of 128,000. Home of the University of Oklahoma with a vibrant college town and the National Weather Center. Housing costs are close to the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5b growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. A large share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The population skews young, with a median age of 31.6.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 92

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 95

Affordable

Median Income $55,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.0%

Job market health

Norman vs US Average

Cost of Living
Norman: 92
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Norman: 95
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Norman: 4.75%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 4.8%
  • Sales Tax: 8.5%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $55,000
  • Unemployment: 3.0%
  • Population: 128,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 230/year
  • Summer High: 93°F
  • Winter Low: 30°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: $260,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1050/mo

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Cost of Living

Norman's cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100).

CategoryNormanNational AverageDifference
Overall92100-8.0%
Housing95100-5.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$260,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1050/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,313/mo
Price per Sq Ft$173

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Norman:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$82Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$57Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$15Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$40Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$65Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$284Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Norman scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 92
Rent
— $1050
Sunny Days
— 230
Tax
— 4.75%
Unemployment
— 3.0%
Climate
— 93°F / 30°F
Safety
— 5.8 homicides/100k
Population
— 128,000
Internet Speed
— 200 Mbps

Climate

Norman has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January50°F30°F2.5"
April78°F45°F2.8"
July93°F68°F1.5"
October73°F48°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Norman faces the following natural hazards:

Tornado High Risk

Core of Tornado Alley with frequent tornadoes.

Flood High Risk

Flash floods and river flooding.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Drought High Risk

Frequent drought conditions.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Induced seismicity from oil and gas operations.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in grassland and forest areas.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 4.75%
  • Sales Tax: 8.5%
  • Property Tax: ~0.89% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.0%.

Schools & Education

68/100
School Quality Score
Better than 52% of US cities
?
30
Total Schools
8.7:1
Student:Teacher

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#426
Top University Rank
1
Top 500 Universities
Top-Ranked University University of Oklahoma, Norman

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Norman is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
4.2%
Black or African American
4.8%
Hispanic or Latino
9.0%
Native American
3.7%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.0%
Other
0.2%
Two or more races
8.1%
White
69.9%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
46.2%
High school graduate
19.2%
Less than high school
6.0%
Some college
28.6%

Religion

Christian
75.0%
Other
6.0%
Unaffiliated
19.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Norman, OK, US?

The cost of living index in Norman is 92, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Norman?

The median home price in Norman is $260,000. The housing index is 95.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Norman is approximately $1050/mo.

Does Norman, OK have income tax?

Norman is in OK, which has an income tax rate of 4.75%.

What is the climate like in Norman?

Norman enjoys approximately 230 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 93°F, while winter lows can drop to around 30°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.