Norman OK vs Riverside CA — 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Riverside
33.1
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 33.1 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 73.0% | 39.2% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $33,716 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.0% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 25.7% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $648,603 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Norman +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Norman +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Norman, OK | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 503 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2388 | Norman + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Riverside
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.7% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.2% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.5% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.6% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.2% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 66.8°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Norman, OK | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 34.1 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 503 in Riverside. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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