Columbia SC 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Norman
31.6
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 128,714 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 31.6 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 7.2% | Norman + |
| White | 49.9% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 39.5% | 5.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 9.0% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Norman
$37,897
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Norman
$57,929
Norman +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $37,897 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $57,929 | Norman + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $264,711 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 429 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2375 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 35.8% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 24.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
Compare More Cities
Columbia, SC vs New York, NYColumbia, SC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbia, SCColumbia, SC vs Houston, TXColumbia, SC vs Phoenix, AZColumbia, SC vs Philadelphia, PA