Is Norman or Ponca City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Norman is safer than Ponca City (Safety Score 28/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,530 per 100,000 versus 3,080 for Ponca City — 18% lower. Norman has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Norman has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Norman is 5.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Norman — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ponca City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Norman, OK
Ponca City, OK
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Norman | Ponca City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,529.8 | 3,080.0 | -550.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 263.2 | 576.5 | -313.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.8 | 8.2 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 39.0 | 86.5 | -47.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 18.4 | 41.2 | -22.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 202.0 | 440.6 | -238.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,266.6 | 2,503.5 | -236.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 351.2 | 584.7 | -233.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.3 | 1,626.5 | +60.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 228.0 | 292.4 | -64.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Norman or Ponca City safer?
Norman is safer with a total crime rate of 2,530 per 100K vs 3,080 for Ponca City — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Norman has a violent crime rate of 263.2 per 100K while Ponca City has 576.5. Norman has lower violent crime.
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.
About Ponca City, OK
Ponca City, a northern Oklahoma community, was founded during the Cherokee Outlet Land Run. It boasts a diverse population of around 24,000, situated along the Arkansas River. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 24,286, Ponca City has a total crime rate of 3,080.0 per 100,000 residents.