Kent WA 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)
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
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
Kent
84,389
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Norman
7.2%
White
Kent
67.2%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Kent
2.3%
Norman
5.1%
Norman +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 128,714 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 7.2% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 2.3% | 5.1% | Norman + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 9.0% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $65,060 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $57,929 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.7% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 17.0% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 52.7% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Norman
2375
Norman +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 429 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2375 | Norman + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Norman
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Norman
12.8%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 35.8% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.8% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.8% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.8% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 60.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 24.2 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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