Norman OK vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Syracuse
31.9
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 31.9 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 73.0% | 51.9% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $45,845 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $27,570 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 7.4% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 29.6% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 30.5% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 41.3% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Norman +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 434 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 41.5% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 12.7% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.7% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.3% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.1% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Norman, OK | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 41.5 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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