Norman OK vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 126,103 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 38.2 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 5.3% | Norman + |
| White | 73.0% | 71.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.8% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $55,902 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $33,290 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 29.1% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Norman +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 449 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 39.7% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 13.1% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.4% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.5% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.9% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Norman, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 39.0 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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