Baltimore MD vs Norman OK — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Norman
7.2%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 128,714 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 7.2% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 60.0% | 5.1% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 9.0% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Norman
$37,897
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $37,897 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $57,929 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $264,711 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2375 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.8% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 60.2°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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