Norman OK vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 34.8 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 73.0% | 53.7% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.9% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 32.3% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $411,323 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Norman +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 450 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 17.3% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.3% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 72.1°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Norman, OK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 27.7 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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