Is Mcalester or Norman Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Norman is safer than Mcalester (Safety Score 28/100 vs 24/100), with a total crime rate of 2,530 per 100,000 versus 2,741 for Mcalester — 8% lower. Mcalester has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Norman has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Norman is 7.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Mcalester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Norman — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mcalester, OK
Norman, OK
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Mcalester | Norman | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,740.7 | 2,529.8 | +210.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 369.5 | 263.2 | +106.2 |
| Murder Rate | 5.5 | 0.8 | +4.7 |
| Rape Rate | 27.6 | 39.0 | -11.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 38.6 | 18.4 | +20.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 297.8 | 202.0 | +95.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,371.2 | 2,266.6 | +104.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 397.0 | 351.2 | +45.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,764.6 | 1,687.3 | +77.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 209.6 | 228.0 | -18.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mcalester or Norman safer?
Norman is safer with a total crime rate of 2,530 per 100K vs 2,741 for Mcalester — a 8% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Mcalester has a violent crime rate of 369.5 per 100K while Norman has 263.2. Norman has lower violent crime.
About Mcalester, OK
McAlester, Oklahoma, a southeastern city, is known for its historic prison, the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. It sits in Pittsburg County, a largely rural area with a population around 43,000. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 18,134, Mcalester has a total crime rate of 2,740.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Norman, OK
Norman, Oklahoma, home to the University of Oklahoma, is a city in Cleveland County with a significant student population. Located just south of Oklahoma City, it lies within the Cross Timbers eco-region. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 130,681, Norman has a total crime rate of 2,529.8 per 100,000 residents.