Arlington 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Norman
7.2%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Norman
4.2%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 128,714 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 7.2% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 22.4% | 5.1% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 4.2% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 9.0% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Norman
5.7%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $65,060 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,929 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.7% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 17.0% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 52.7% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2375 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 35.8% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.8% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
29.0 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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