Kansas City 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
508,233
Kansas City +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
Norman
7.2%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 128,714 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 7.2% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 25.8% | 5.1% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 9.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Norman
$37,897
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $65,060 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $37,897 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $57,929 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 17.0% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $264,711 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 52.7% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Norman
2375
Norman +
| Metric | Kansas City, 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
Kansas City
38.5%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Norman
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Norman
38.9 in
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 60.2°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 38.9 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Kansas City, 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
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.2 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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