Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Norman
7.2%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 128,714 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 7.2% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 28.1% | 5.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 9.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $57,929 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 17.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $264,711 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 52.7% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 429 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2375 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Norman
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Norman
9.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Norman
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Norman
12.8%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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