Are you trying to decide between living in Norman , Oklahoma or Edmond, Oklahoma? In this blog post, we will compare and contrast these two cities so you can get a better feel for what they might be like for you. We’ll talk about housing, location, access to amenities, and everything else that you could think of. If you have any additional thoughts, please feel free to drop them in the comments so that I can address them there. We will cover important factors that make these cities very unique, so let’s see which one is a better fit for you.

Universities

Norman, Oklahoma is a city located in central Oklahoma, situated just south of Oklahoma City. At the time of writing, Norman has a population of about 120,000 people and is the third-largest city in Oklahoma. One of the city’s most notable features is the University of Oklahoma, which is the largest employer in Norman and the biggest university in the state.

The university draws students not only from Oklahoma but also from other states, with Texas being one of the largest sources of out-of-state students, as well as from other countries. OU is known for its transfer and exchange programs with universities in China and other countries, and it is one of the universities with the largest number of National Merit Scholars.

On the other hand, Edmond, Oklahoma is located just 15 miles north of Oklahoma City, with a population of around 90,000 to 95,000 at the time of writing, making it the fifth largest city in Oklahoma. Edmond also has plenty to offer, including the University of Central Oklahoma, a public university.

Amenities

One notable aspect of Edmond is that home prices tend to be higher than in other parts of the state, and the location provides easy access to amenities that are more commonly found on the coasts, such as Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and other shopping and retail options. Additionally, Edmond provides easier access to the north side of Oklahoma City, which has these amenities as well.

When it comes to choosing between living in Norman and living in Edmond, people often find themselves comparing and contrasting the two, especially if they’re planning to move to central Oklahoma. While these cities may not be well-known nationwide, they are considered suburbs of Oklahoma City and are located within the Oklahoma City metro area. Norman residents tend to view their city as its own distinct place, but with great access to Oklahoma City. When traveling outside of Oklahoma, people from the area typically identify as being from Oklahoma City rather than Norman or Edmond.

Location

Norman is located in the southern part of Cleveland County, serving as the county seat of Cleveland County. State highways 77 and 9 intersect in Norman, and it is also close to the intersection of I-35 and I-40 or I-240, which is the bypass for I-40.

In contrast, Edmond is located in the northern part of Oklahoma County, where most of Oklahoma City is located. Oklahoma City covers multiple counties, making it a very large city. Edmond is about 15 minutes north of Oklahoma City, and its size means that travel time to Oklahoma City depends on where in Edmond you’re coming from. State highways 74 and 77 intersect in Edmond, with 77 being the same as I-35 in many areas on the map. Edmond is located close to the intersection of I-35 and I-44, with I-44 stretching all the way across the country.

Weather

As Edmond and Norman are located so close together, they experience similar climates. Summers in central Oklahoma tend to be hot, especially in July and August, while winters are usually mild. At the time of writing, it is January and 60 degrees outside. One notable weather event in Oklahoma is intense thunderstorms, which can be quite large and loud, with powerful thunder and lightning. I do have a video about Weather in Oklahoma, if you want to check it out.

Whether you’re living in Norman or living in Edmond, summer temperatures typically range from the 90s to 100s, with high humidity, and rainfall is common in April, May, and June. In winter, temperatures typically range from the 50s to 60s, with occasional dips down to the 30s and 40s at night, and occasional cold snaps. While Oklahoma sees around 35 inches of rain per year, Green Country, where Tulsa is located, tends to get slightly more rain than other parts of the state. Rainfall is most common in the spring months, but can occur in other months as well.

Public Schools

Edmond Public Schools serve around 20,000 students, with multiple elementary and middle schools feeding into three high schools. Private schools are also available in Edmond, Oklahoma City, and Norman; offering both religious and non-religious options, as well as Montessori and hands-on learning schools. Homeschool groups are also available for those interested.

The University of Central Oklahoma is a large public university in Edmond, with around 17,000 students enrolled. Many people move to Edmond to work at UCO, which is one of the biggest employers in the city and attracts great minds to the state. Norman also has a public school system, with multiple elementary and middle schools that feed into two high schools. Living in Norman, you’ll find that the city is most famous for the University of Oklahoma, the biggest public university in the state, with around 30,000 to 35,000 students enrolled at any given time. OU is known for its programs in meteorology, aerospace, and engineering, with meteorology being particularly popular. OU is also the biggest employer in Norman.

Both Edmond and Norman offer opportunities for vocational education through the tech center, providing options for those interested in pursuing careers in technology, plumbing, electrical work, culinary arts, and more. While there are no junior colleges in Edmond or Norman, there are junior colleges available in Oklahoma City.

Housing

When it comes to housing, Edmond tends to be slightly pricier than Norman. While the cost of a new house may be the same in both cities, it depends on the location, with properties closer to the city center typically costing more, unless the property comes with land. Land larger than half an acre up to an acre is commonly found in neighborhoods, with larger plots of land located outside of neighborhoods.

Edmond has significantly more gated communities than you would find living in Norman . However, Norman offers more opportunities for condos and townhouses than Edmond. And yet, opportunities for condos and townhouses in Oklahoma are generally less common than in other coastal states.

While it is possible to live in one city and work in the other, it is not very common due to the distance and rush hour traffic. Each city offers a variety of job opportunities, with the top five employers in Norman being the University of Oklahoma, Norman Regional Health System, Norman Public Schools, Johnson Controls, and Walmart. The top five employers in Edmond are the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond Public Schools, the City of Edmond, Integris Health, and Mercy.

If you have further questions, please leave them in the comments. As a real estate agent living in Norman and frequently visiting Edmond, and have seen both cities grow and change over the years. If you need more information about these cities or Oklahoma City itself, I have included some helpful guides that are free to download.