Norman 85 Exceptional
Norman Livability #1 ranked city in Oklahoma#509 ranked city in the USARanks better than 98% of areas
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Norman, OK - The City of Festivals

Norman, Oklahoma, is a vibrant college town located just south of Oklahoma City. Home to the University of Oklahoma, Norman offers a lively atmosphere, rich cultural scene, and a strong sense of community. The city's blend of academic excellence, historic charm, and modern amenities makes living in Norman an attractive option for students, families, and professionals alike.

Residents of Norman enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, trails, and recreational facilities provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities. Lake Thunderbird State Park is a popular destination for boating, fishing, hiking, and camping, offering a natural retreat for residents and visitors.

Norman's cultural scene is heavily influenced by the University of Oklahoma, which hosts a range of events, performances, and exhibitions throughout the year. The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, and the university's performing arts venues are cultural highlights that enrich the community's artistic and educational landscape.

The cost of living in Norman is relatively affordable, making it an attractive option for families and young professionals. The housing market offers a variety of options, from historic homes near the university to new developments in suburban areas. The city's economy is supported by industries such as education, healthcare, and technology.

Public transportation in Norman is provided by CART (Cleveland Area Rapid Transit), which operates bus routes throughout the city and the university campus. Norman's climate features hot summers and mild winters, with a variety of seasonal activities available year-round. Overall, Norman offers a blend of academic excellence, cultural vibrancy, and a welcoming community spirit.

Pros and Cons of Living in Norman

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Commute Commute

    An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

CONS
  • Nothing Found Nothing Found

    There are no cons to mention for this area, as all of the categories were rated above average.

What's it like Living in Norman?

Norman, Oklahoma is a moderately-sized city with a population of 127,988 people. If we look at the most recent Census, Norman is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. With an average age of 31 years old, Norman could be a great place to live for young adults as this age is well below the national average. Norman is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 46% married, this city falls well below the national average.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Norman, Oklahoma. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like cost of living, commute, health & safety, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Norman and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Norman to Oklahoma and the national average.

Norman, OK receives 83 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #1 in Oklahoma and #699 in the USA. Based on this score, Norman would be considered a very livable city! This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. Based on the scores for each individual category, Norman has received high marks for amenities (A+), cost of living (A-) and housing (A+).

Living in Norman offers many benefits and offers an extensive array of local amenities. These amenities play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in this vibrant community. From readily accessible grocery stores to charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and generously spaced parks, Norman provides a wide spectrum of resources for its residents. This ensures that your daily requirements are effortlessly met and creates abundant opportunities for leisure and recreation. The abundant local offerings contribute to the area's overall appeal, making it an attractive destination for those seeking convenience, variety and a fulfilling lifestyle. If you're considering a move, the wealth of local amenities continues could be a defining feature of this remarkable locale. Some of the interesting things to do and attractions include: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, and Andy Alligator's Fun Park.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Norman has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Norman real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Norman. The median home price for Norman homes is $329,323, which is 52.9% higher than the Oklahoma average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Norman, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.9, which is 30% higher than the Oklahoma average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Norman

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Norman?

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      Norman transportation information

      Statistic Norman Oklahoma National
      Average one way commute22min21min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.2%82.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.6%10.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.6%0.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.4%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.4%1.8%2.8%
      Working from home6.1%3.6%4.6%
      Source: The Norman, OK data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.