Norman OK vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 98,677 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 38.0 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 73.0% | 57.5% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.1% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 8.6% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $52,671 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $34,792 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 19.7% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 28.9% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $279,668 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 51.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 41.9% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 14.9% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.0% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.7% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.7% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Norman, OK | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 44.5 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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