Norman OK vs North Charleston SC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Norman +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Norman
5.1%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 117,460 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 34.3 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 73.0% | 39.1% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.5% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Norman +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Norman, OK | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $62,789 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $35,740 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $54,550 | Norman + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 28.0% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Norman, OK | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $313,219 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 48.5% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Norman, OK | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Norman, OK | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 13.2% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.3% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 19.8% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.3% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Norman, OK | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 26.8 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, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Norman, OKLos Angeles, CA vs Norman, OKChicago, IL vs Norman, OKHouston, TX vs Norman, OKNorman, OK vs Phoenix, AZNorman, OK vs Philadelphia, PA