Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
Norman
7.2%
White
Madison
73.0%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Norman
4.2%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 128,714 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 7.2% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 7.1% | 5.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 4.2% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 9.0% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Norman
$37,897
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Norman
46.2%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $65,060 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $37,897 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $57,929 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 17.0% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 46.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Madison, WI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 429 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2375 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Norman
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Norman
9.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Norman
12.8%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 35.8% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.8% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 18.8% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 9.2% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.8% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 60.2°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 38.9 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 24.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
Compare More Cities
Madison, WI vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Madison, WIChicago, IL vs Madison, WIHouston, TX vs Madison, WIMadison, WI vs Phoenix, AZMadison, WI vs Philadelphia, PA