Norman OK vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 37.3 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 73.0% | 59.4% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 33.5% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $496,966 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Norman +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 3409 | Norman + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 37.3% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.9% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.3% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.8% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 39.2 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 31.1 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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