Cost of Living Comparison Between Norman, OK and Austin, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Norman, OK and Austin, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,505 in Norman, OK versus $2,695 in Austin, TX.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,437 in Norman, OK versus $4,184 in Austin, TX.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,369 in Norman, OK versus $5,674 in Austin, TX.

Living in Norman, OK costs roughly 7% less than in Austin, TX, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Norman, OK 82% above, Austin, TX 96% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Norman, OK
Austin, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.40 $20.40
$19.82 $19.82
2.93%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.6 $60.6
$83.9 $83.9
-27.74%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.90 $11.90
$12.30 $12.30
-3.25%
Cappuccino
$6.25 $6.25
$5.48 $5.48
14.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92 $2.92
$3.72 $3.72
-21.51%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28 $2.28
$2.36 $2.36
-3.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.35 $5.35
$7.76 $7.76
-31.06%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.83 $7.83
$9.14 $9.14
-14.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Norman, OK
Austin, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.01 $1.01
$1.13 $1.13
-10.62%
White Bread (500g)
$3.48 $3.48
$3.75 $3.75
-7.20%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.78 $3.78
$3.43 $3.43
10.20%
Eggs
$3.88 $3.88
$4.35 $4.35
-10.80%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.75 $10.75
$13.14 $13.14
-18.19%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.97 $10.97
$14.39 $14.39
-23.77%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.02 $18.02
$17.20 $17.20
4.77%
Apples (1kg)
$4.53 $4.53
$4.49 $4.49
0.89%
Banana (1kg)
$1.54 $1.54
$1.44 $1.44
6.94%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.33 $4.33
$4.67 $4.67
-7.28%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.92 $3.92
$4.97 $4.97
-21.13%
Potato (1kg)
$2.52 $2.52
$3.00 $3.00
-16.00%
Onion (1kg)
$3.24 $3.24
$2.69 $2.69
20.45%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.30 $2.30
$1.85 $1.85
24.32%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.45 $2.45
$2.18 $2.18
12.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.18 $9.18
$9.45 $9.45
-2.86%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.12 $15.12
$15.11 $15.11
0.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.88 $1.88
$2.89 $2.89
-34.95%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95 $2.95
$3.49 $3.49
-15.47%
🚌 Getting Around
Norman, OK
Austin, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$1.64 $1.64
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$40.44 $40.44
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.77 $2.77
$2.81 $2.81
-1.42%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.27 $1.27
$1.58 $1.58
-19.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$23.68 $23.68
$35.18 $35.18
-32.69%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.84 $0.84
$0.90 $0.90
-6.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.3K $35.3K
$35.9K $35.9K
-1.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.4K $25.4K
$27.7K $27.7K
-8.02%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Norman, OK
Austin, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$191 $191
$222 $222
-13.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$70.2 $70.2
$58.3 $58.3
20.44%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$85.0 $85.0
$69.1 $69.1
22.96%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Norman, OK
Austin, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.96 $44.96
$66.2 $66.2
-32.04%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$14.76 $14.76
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.02 $15.02
$13.78 $13.78
9.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Norman, OK
Austin, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,578 $1,578
$1,526 $1,526
3.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.7K $23.7K
$21.2K $21.2K
11.90%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Norman, OK
Austin, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.8 $51.8
$54.6 $54.6
-5.06%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.31 $39.31
$44.01 $44.01
-10.68%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$107 $107
$89.7 $89.7
19.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$152 $152
$109 $109
39.57%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Norman, OK
Austin, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,289 $1,289
$1,942 $1,942
-33.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,159 $1,159
$1,258 $1,258
-7.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,703 $1,703
$3,762 $3,762
-54.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,594 $1,594
$2,592 $2,592
-38.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$7,403 $7,403
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$3,203 $3,203
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Norman, OK
Austin, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,828 $3,828
$5,085 $5,085
-24.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.08
6.44
-5.59%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Norman, OK: August 31, 2026

Last update for Austin, TX: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,289 in Norman, OK and $1,942 in Austin, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Austin, TX pays 33% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $61.0 in Norman, OK vs $84.0 in Austin, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $384 vs $417 per month, with Norman, OK cheaper across the board.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Norman, OK vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Norman, OK or Austin, TX?
Norman, OK wins on cost – living expenses run 8% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Norman, OK the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Norman, OK or in Austin, TX?
On paper, salaries run 33% lower in Austin, TX. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Norman, OK compared to Austin, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,289 in Norman, OK versus $1,942 in Austin, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Norman, OK and in Austin, TX?
Childcare runs $1,578 in Norman, OK versus $1,526 in Austin, TX. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Norman, OK and in Austin, TX?
Dining out is cheaper in Norman, OK – a meal for two runs $61.0 versus $84.0 in Austin, TX. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Norman, OK or in Austin, TX?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,500. Norman, OK is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Norman, OK or Austin, TX?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Norman, OK gentler on the wallet – expenses run 8% less than in Austin, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Norman, OK vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities