Modesto CA 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Norman
7.2%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Norman
5.1%
Norman +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Norman
4.2%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 128,714 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 7.2% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 4.7% | 5.1% | Norman + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 4.2% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 9.0% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $65,060 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,929 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 17.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 52.7% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Norman
2375
Norman +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2375 | Norman + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 38.9 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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