Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 128,714 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 7.2% | Norman + |
| White | 36.7% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 46.8% | 5.1% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 9.0% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $57,929 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $264,711 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 429 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2375 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 60.2°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 38.9 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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