Columbus GA 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 128,714 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 7.2% | Norman + |
| White | 39.3% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 46.7% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 9.0% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Norman
$57,929
Norman +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,929 | Norman + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $264,711 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 429 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2375 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Norman
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.0% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.2 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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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