Milwaukee 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)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
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
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Norman
7.2%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Norman
4.2%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 128,714 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 7.2% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 38.6% | 5.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 4.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 9.0% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $57,929 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $264,711 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 429 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2375 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 60.2°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 38.9 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Milwaukee, 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
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 24.2 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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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