Norman OK vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Norman
73.0%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Norman
5.1%
Norman +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 26,509 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 38.7 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 7.1% | Norman + |
| White | 73.0% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 5.1% | 3.6% | Norman + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 3.9% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $344,633 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.4% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 28.3 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Norman, OKLos Angeles, CA vs Norman, OKChicago, IL vs Norman, OKHouston, TX vs Norman, OKNorman, OK vs Phoenix, AZNorman, OK vs Philadelphia, PA