Fayetteville AR 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)
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
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
Fayetteville
97,227
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Norman
31.6
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Norman
73.0%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 128,714 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 31.6 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 7.2% | Norman + |
| White | 75.6% | 73.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 5.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 9.0% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Norman
$57,929
Norman +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Norman
46.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $57,929 | Norman + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 46.2% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Norman
2375
Norman +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2375 | Norman + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Norman
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Norman
12.8%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 35.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 9.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.8% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 60.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 24.2 min | Fayetteville + |
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, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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