Norman OK vs St. Louis 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Norman
5.1%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 36.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 6.6% | Norman + |
| White | 73.0% | 45.7% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.4% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 5.1% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | Norman, OK | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $55,279 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $58,527 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 19.8% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 40.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Norman, OK | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 45.4% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Norman +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Norman +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Norman, OK | St. Louis, 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 +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
St. Louis
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
St. Louis
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Norman, OK | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 13.2% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.4% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.9% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | St. Louis, MO | 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
Norman +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Norman, OK | St. Louis, 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
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Norman, OK | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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