Norman OK vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Norman
5.1%
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 36.0 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 73.0% | 50.4% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 5.7% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Norman, OK | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.9% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Norman, OK | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $1,006,261 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 47.6% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Norman +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Norman +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Norman, OK | San Diego, 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%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Norman, OK | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.9% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Norman, OK | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 61.6°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Norman, OK | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 25.9 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 San Diego. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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