Norman OK vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Salinas
32.1
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Norman +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 32.1 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 73.0% | 21.8% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 1.4% | Norman + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $28,813 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 15.5% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $751,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 47.0% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Norman +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Norman +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Norman, OK | Salinas, 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%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 12.4% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 22.4% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.8% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.9% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Norman, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 28.8 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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