Norman OK vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 37.5 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 73.0% | 55.5% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.7% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $53,328 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $30,409 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 8.6% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 21.9% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 23.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 44.7% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 15.4% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.0% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.5% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 18.1% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 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