Norman OK vs Sandy UT — 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, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Norman
73.0%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Norman
5.1%
Norman +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 94,723 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 36.9 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 73.0% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 5.1% | 0.8% | Norman + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.5% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 45.7% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $672,082 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.2% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 24.6 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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