Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Norman
31.6
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
Norman
7.2%
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Norman
73.0%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Norman
5.1%
Norman +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Norman
4.2%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 128,714 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 31.6 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 7.2% | Boulder + |
| White | 81.8% | 73.0% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 5.1% | Norman + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.2% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 9.0% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Norman
$37,897
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Norman
46.2%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $65,060 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $37,897 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $57,929 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 46.2% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Norman
2375
Norman +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2375 | Norman + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Norman
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Norman
9.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Norman
12.8%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 35.8% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 9.8% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.8% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.2% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.8% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 60.2°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 38.9 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 24.2 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
Compare More Cities
Boulder, CO vs New York, NYBoulder, CO vs Los Angeles, CABoulder, CO vs Chicago, ILBoulder, CO vs Houston, TXBoulder, CO vs Phoenix, AZBoulder, CO vs Philadelphia, PA