Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Norman, OK
VS
Omaha, NE
🏆 Norman leads 12 of 23 categories
Norman
Oklahoma
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,849
Violent Crime Index
68 ✓ Safer
Population
127,701
Omaha
Nebraska
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.5
Median Household Income
$70,202 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
97
Population
489,201 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Norman, OK
Pros
29% less violent crime than Omaha
Violent crime is well below the national average (260.2 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 50°F vs 32°F
Rent averages $95/mo less ($1,004 vs $1,099)
More college-educated — 45.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.0)
Cons
Median income trails Omaha by $7,353/yr
Higher unemployment (5.8% vs 4.2%)
Omaha, NE
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (4.2%)
Households earn $7,353 more per year on average
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.5)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 93°F
Cons
Property crime (3161.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Norman
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 92.5 (100 = US avg)
Norman
Violent Crime
29% lower
260.2 vs 369.0 per 100k
Norman
Summer Heat
7.3°F warmer
July avg high 92.5°F vs 85.2°F
Omaha
Median Income
$7,353
$70,202 vs $62,849/yr
Omaha
Median Home Value
$15k less
$210,300 vs $224,900
Omaha
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Norman, OK | Omaha, NE |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 92.5 |
| Median Home Value | $224,900 | $210,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,004 ✓ Lower | $1,099 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,849 | $70,202 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.6 min | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.3% | 11.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 84 ✓ Safer | 118⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 68 ✓ Safer | 97 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 108⚠ High ✓ Safer | 151⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (104) ✓ Better | B- (95) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 45.6% ✓ Higher | 39.2% |
| High School or Higher | 94.0% ✓ Higher | 90.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | NORMAN | OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 49.9°F ✓ Warmer | 32.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.5°F ✓ Warmer | 85.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 37.6" | 33.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 4.1" ✓ Less | 27.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,701 | 489,201 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 35.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.4% | 57.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.1% | 24.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.4% | 13.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Norman's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Omaha's 92.5 (US average = 100).
Norman is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Norman leads 12 of 23 categories. Norman wins 12 and Omaha wins 11. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Norman to Omaha or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($224,900 vs $210,300 median home), income ($62,849 vs $70,202), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Norman, OK and Omaha, NE are about 422 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.