Norman OK vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Palm Bay
59.2%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 125,273 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 41.3 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 73.0% | 59.2% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.1% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $34,474 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.9% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 22.6% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $304,173 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Palm Bay
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.5% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.4% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.5% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Norman, OK | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 29.6 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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