Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Norman
7.2%
White
Newark
16.5%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 128,714 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 7.2% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 46.7% | 5.1% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 9.0% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $57,929 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 429 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2375 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 60.2°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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