Norman OK vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Norman
73.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Norman
5.1%
Norman +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 41.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 6.8% | Norman + |
| White | 73.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 5.1% | 4.8% | Norman + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.6% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 31.0% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $422,520 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Norman +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 450 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.2% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.5% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.9% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Norman, OK | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 32.8 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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