Norman OK vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 35.7 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 73.0% | 36.8% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 12.4% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Sacramento
36.4%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.2% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 36.4% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $480,548 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 51.5% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Norman +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Norman +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sacramento, 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%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Sacramento
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Sacramento
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Sacramento
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.2% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.0% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.3% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 61.0°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 27.0 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 Sacramento. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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