Norman OK vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 35.5 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 73.0% | 57.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.5% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Tulsa
$57,929
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $58,407 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $37,533 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $57,929 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.1% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 18.6% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 33.3% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 52.0% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Tulsa
429
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Tulsa
2375
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 429 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2375 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 37.5% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 12.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.4% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.3% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 60.8°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 41.0 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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