Norman OK vs Sandy Springs GA — 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%
Sandy Springs, GA
Georgia · Population: 107,198
- Median HH Income$101,593
- Median Home Price$694,123
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+69.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 107,198 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 37.1 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 73.0% | 59.3% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Norman +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $57,405 | Norman + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $694,123 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 50.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.8% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 27.9 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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