Norman OK vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Sparks
N/A
White
Norman
73.0%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Norman
5.1%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 73.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $530,668 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Norman +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Norman +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 460 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2417 | Norman + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Sparks
9.8%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 9.8% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.8% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.7% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.9% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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