Norman OK vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Norman +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 34.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 73.0% | 58.2% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 5.0% | Norman + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.1% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $54,546 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $31,152 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.4% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 30.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $324,946 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 51.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Norman +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 450 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.5% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.7% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.6% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 69.8°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, 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 Tucson. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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