Norman OK vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Oklahoma City
35.0
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 35.0 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 12.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 73.0% | 58.4% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 13.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 4.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 21.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Oklahoma City
34.0%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $37,109 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $57,929 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 34.0% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Oklahoma City
429
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Oklahoma City
2375
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 429 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2375 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Oklahoma City
14.9%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 38.3% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 12.6% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.6% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.9% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Oklahoma City, 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
Norman
24.2 min
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 23.6 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Oklahoma City 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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