Bend OR 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)
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
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
Bend
97,502
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Norman
7.2%
White
Bend
65.5%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Bend
2.8%
Norman
5.1%
Norman +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Norman
4.2%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 128,714 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 7.2% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 2.8% | 5.1% | Norman + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 4.2% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 9.0% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Norman
$37,897
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Norman
46.2%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $65,060 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $37,897 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $57,929 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.7% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 17.0% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 46.2% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Norman
2375
Norman +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 429 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2375 | Norman + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Norman
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Norman
9.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Norman
12.8%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 35.8% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.8% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.8% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 9.2% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.8% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 60.2°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 38.9 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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