Lexington KY 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)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
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
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Norman
7.2%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 128,714 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 7.2% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 14.4% | 5.1% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 9.0% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Norman
$37,897
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Norman
$57,929
Norman +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Norman
46.2%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $65,060 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $37,897 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $57,929 | Norman + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.7% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 17.0% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 46.2% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 52.7% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 429 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2375 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Norman
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Norman
9.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Norman
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Norman
12.8%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | 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
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 60.2°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 24.2 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Lexington, KY vs New York, NYLexington, KY vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lexington, KYHouston, TX vs Lexington, KYLexington, KY vs Phoenix, AZLexington, KY vs Philadelphia, PA