Little Rock AR 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)
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
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
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
Norman
7.2%
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 128,714 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 7.2% | Little Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 39.4% | 5.1% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 9.0% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Norman
$37,897
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Norman
$57,929
Norman +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $37,897 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $57,929 | Norman + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.7% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 17.0% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $264,711 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 52.7% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Norman
2375
Norman +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2375 | Norman + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.8% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 24.2 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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