Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
906,480
Columbus +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Norman
7.2%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Norman
4.2%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 128,714 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 7.2% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 29.0% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.2% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 9.0% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Columbus +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $65,060 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $57,929 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.7% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $264,711 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 429 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2375 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 35.8% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.2 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, OH vs New York, NYColumbus, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, OHColumbus, OH vs Houston, TXColumbus, OH vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, OH vs Philadelphia, PA