Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
Norman
7.2%
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Norman
73.0%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Norman
5.1%
Norman +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 128,714 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 7.2% | Boise + |
| White | 83.6% | 73.0% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 5.1% | Norman + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 9.0% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Norman
$37,897
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Norman
$57,929
Norman +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Norman
46.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $65,060 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $37,897 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $57,929 | Norman + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.7% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 17.0% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 46.2% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 52.7% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Boise, ID | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 429 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2375 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Norman
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Norman
9.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Norman
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Norman
12.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 60.2°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 38.9 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 24.2 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Boise, ID vs New York, NYBoise, ID vs Los Angeles, CABoise, ID vs Chicago, ILBoise, ID vs Houston, TXBoise, ID vs Phoenix, AZBoise, ID vs Philadelphia, PA