Amarillo 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)
Amarillo, TX
Texas · Population: 200,945
- Median HH Income$62,469
- Median Home Price$208,517
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+25.1%
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
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Norman
7.2%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 128,714 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 7.2% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 7.4% | 5.1% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 9.0% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,929 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.7% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 17.0% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $264,711 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 52.7% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Amarillo +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2375 | Amarillo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Amarillo +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 60.2°F | Amarillo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 38.9 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Amarillo, 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
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.2 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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