Fayetteville NC 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Norman
31.6
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
Norman
7.2%
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 128,714 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 31.6 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 7.2% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 38.3% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 42.3% | 5.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 9.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,929 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $264,711 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 429 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2375 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Norman
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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