Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 128,714 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 7.2% | Norman + |
| White | 11.7% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 76.8% | 5.1% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 9.0% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $57,929 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $264,711 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2375 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Norman
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.0% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 60.2°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 38.9 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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