Norman OK vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Springfield
70.5%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 113,714 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 40.7 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 4.5% | Norman + |
| White | 73.0% | 70.5% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.9% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 3.4% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 16.5% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 35.1% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 41.1% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 12.9% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.7% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.7% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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