Norman OK vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Salem
69.8%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Norman +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 35.7 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 73.0% | 69.8% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 1.6% | Norman + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.5% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $36,477 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 31.4% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $438,754 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Norman +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Norman, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 3001 | Norman + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Salem
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 41.4% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.7% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.6% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.2% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Norman, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 39.7 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Norman, OK | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 24.5 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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%.
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