Montgomery AL 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)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 128,714 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 7.2% | Norman + |
| White | 27.7% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 63.0% | 5.1% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 9.0% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Norman
$57,929
Norman +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $57,929 | Norman + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $264,711 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 52.7% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 429 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2375 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Norman
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.0% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.2 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 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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