Norman OK vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Norman +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Norman
5.1%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 102,866 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 33.9 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 73.0% | 54.1% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.7% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Norman, OK | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $52,512 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $29,511 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.0% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 22.6% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 29.4% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Norman, OK | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Norman, OK | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Norman, OK | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 39.7% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 15.2% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.3% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.6% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.3% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 18.2% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Norman, OK | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Norman, OK | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Norman, OK | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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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