Norman OK vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Norman
73.0%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Norman
5.1%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 41.5 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 73.0% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 5.1% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 2.4% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $37,315 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.2% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 31.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $309,742 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Norman +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 471 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.0% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.5% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.4% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.3% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | 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 +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Norman, OK | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 27.5 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while 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 471 in Sterling Heights. 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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