Lakeland FL 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)
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
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
Lakeland
82,506
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Norman
7.2%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Norman
73.0%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 128,714 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 7.2% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 73.0% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 5.1% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 9.0% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $57,929 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.7% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 17.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 52.7% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 429 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2375 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.8% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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