Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 128,714 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 7.2% | Norman + |
| White | 58.4% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 29.7% | 5.1% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 9.0% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Norman
$37,897
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Norman
$57,929
Norman +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Norman
46.2%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $65,060 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $37,897 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $57,929 | Norman + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.7% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 17.0% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 52.7% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 429 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2375 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Norman
12.8%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.8% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.8% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 24.2 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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