Norman OK vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Omaha
68.8%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 35.3 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 73.0% | 68.8% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 4.0% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Omaha
40.3%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 40.3% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $297,017 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Omaha
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 37.5% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.2% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.0% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 20.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.2% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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