Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Norman
7.2%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 128,714 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 7.2% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 17.1% | 5.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 9.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $57,929 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 17.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 429 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2375 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 35.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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