Norman OK vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 34.9 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 73.0% | 39.1% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 4.1% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.5% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $580,173 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 41.1% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 24.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Washington, DC | 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
Norman +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Norman, OK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 32.8 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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