Norman OK vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 34.1 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 73.0% | 58.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $35,825 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.4% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 19.8% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 34.1% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $435,532 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 42.4% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.4% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.9% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.1% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.5% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Norman, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 48.1 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Norman, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 27.3 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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