Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Norman, OK
VS
Wilmington, NC
🏆 Norman leads 14 of 23 categories
Norman
Oklahoma
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,849 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
68 ✓ Safer
Population
127,701 ✓ Larger
Wilmington
North Carolina
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.1
Median Household Income
$58,908
Violent Crime Index
127⚠ High
Population
116,933
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Norman, OK
Pros
46% less violent crime than Wilmington
Homes cost $94k less ($224,900 vs $318,600)
Violent crime is well below the national average (260.2 vs 380/100k)
Rent averages $209/mo less ($1,004 vs $1,213)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.0)
Households earn $3,941 more per year on average
Cons
Higher unemployment (5.8% vs 4.9%)
Wilmington, NC
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (4.9%)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 50°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $318,600
Violent crime (482.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3514.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Median income trails Norman by $3,941/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Norman
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 97.1 (100 = US avg)
Norman
Median Income
$3,941
$62,849 vs $58,908/yr
Norman
Violent Crime
46% lower
260.2 vs 482.8 per 100k
Norman
Median Home Value
$94k less
$224,900 vs $318,600
Wilmington
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
4.9% vs 5.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Norman, OK | Wilmington, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 97.1 |
| Median Home Value | $224,900 ✓ Lower | $318,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,004 ✓ Lower | $1,213 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,849 ✓ Higher | $58,908 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High | 4.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.6 min | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.3% | 14.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 84 ✓ Safer | 143⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 68 ✓ Safer | 127⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 108⚠ High ✓ Safer | 167⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (104) | B+ (109) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.6:1 | 15.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 45.6% ✓ Higher | 43.6% |
| High School or Higher | 94.0% ✓ Higher | 93.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | NORMAN | New Hanover County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 49.9°F | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 92.5°F ✓ Warmer | 90.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 37.6" ✓ Drier | 60.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 4.1" | 0.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,701 ✓ Larger | 116,933 |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 37.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.4% ✓ Higher | 45.9% |
| Under 18 | 18.1% ✓ More | 16.8% |
| Over 65 | 13.4% | 17.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Norman's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Wilmington's 97.1 (US average = 100).
Norman is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Norman leads 14 of 23 categories. Norman wins 14 and Wilmington wins 9. 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 Wilmington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($224,900 vs $318,600 median home), income ($62,849 vs $58,908), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Norman, OK and Wilmington, NC are about 1,106 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.