Norman OK vs Springfield MA — 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, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Springfield
33.7
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 33.7 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 73.0% | 40.8% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.8% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $51,339 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $27,054 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 8.2% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 25.3% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 19.7% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $298,985 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 49.5% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Springfield
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 39.6% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 14.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 21.1% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.7% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.1% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 17.5% | 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
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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