Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Norman
7.2%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Norman
4.2%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 128,714 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 7.2% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 20.4% | 5.1% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.2% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 9.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $57,929 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $264,711 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 52.7% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2375 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 38.9 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.2 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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