Norman OK vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 35.1 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 73.0% | 36.1% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $60,698 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $37,669 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 8.4% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 22.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 34.6% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 52.3% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Norman, OK | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 48.5 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Norman, OK | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 34.5 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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