Norman OK vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Paterson
N/A
White
Norman
73.0%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Norman
5.1%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 73.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $527,542 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Paterson
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 37.5% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 16.1% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 28.6% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.3% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.4% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Paterson, NJ | 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
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Paterson 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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