Buffalo NY 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)
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Norman
7.2%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Norman
4.2%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 128,714 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 7.2% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 32.9% | 5.1% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 4.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 9.0% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $57,929 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $264,711 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2375 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 60.2°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.2 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
Compare More Cities
Buffalo, NY vs New York, NYBuffalo, NY vs Los Angeles, CABuffalo, NY vs Chicago, ILBuffalo, NY vs Houston, TXBuffalo, NY vs Phoenix, AZBuffalo, NY vs Philadelphia, PA