Abilene TX vs Norman OK — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Abilene +
Norman
7.2%
White
Abilene
66.6%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 128,714 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.2% | Abilene + |
| White | 66.6% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 10.3% | 5.1% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 9.0% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,929 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.7% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 17.0% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $264,711 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 52.7% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2375 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Norman
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 35.8% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 38.9 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 24.2 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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