Norman OK vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 37.4 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 73.0% | 61.6% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 8.9% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 40.4% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $427,121 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.5% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.6% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Norman, OK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 25.0 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach 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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