Lowell MA 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)
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Lowell
114,799
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Norman
7.2%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Norman
4.2%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 128,714 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 7.2% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 10.8% | 5.1% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 4.2% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 9.0% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $65,060 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $57,929 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.7% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 17.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 429 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2375 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Norman
9.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 35.8% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.8% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 60.2°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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