Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Norman
7.2%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Norman
4.2%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 128,714 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 7.2% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 6.7% | 5.1% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 4.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 9.0% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $65,060 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,929 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Norman
2375
Norman +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2375 | Norman + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 38.9 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.2 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 503 in Fresno. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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