Norman OK vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 34.7 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 73.0% | 53.8% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $435,807 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 51.2% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Raleigh
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.7% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.3% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Norman, OK | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 61.1°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 46.2 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Norman, OK | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 25.1 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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