Norman OK vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Springfield
33.6
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Norman
73.0%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Norman
5.1%
Norman +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 33.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 3.8% | Norman + |
| White | 73.0% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 5.1% | 4.3% | Norman + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.7% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 5.6% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $45,984 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $30,864 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $58,527 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 19.4% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 30.3% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 42.9% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Norman +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Norman +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 501 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2418 | Norman + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Springfield
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Springfield
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 37.7% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.1% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.0% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.0% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.6% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 17.1% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 45.6 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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