Independence MO 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)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
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
Independence
121,944
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
White
Independence
72.2%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 128,714 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 7.2% | Norman + |
| White | 72.2% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 10.8% | 5.1% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 9.0% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $57,929 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 17.0% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $264,711 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 52.7% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Norman
2375
Norman +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2375 | Norman + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 60.2°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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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