Norman OK vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Rochester
33.5
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 33.5 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 73.0% | 41.5% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $46,628 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $30,451 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 7.9% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 26.6% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 29.9% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 37.2% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Norman +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 434 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Rochester
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 38.0% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 14.3% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.9% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.3% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.6% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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%.
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