Asheville NC 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)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Asheville
N/A
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Norman
31.6
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Norman
7.2%
White
Asheville
N/A
Norman
73.0%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Norman
4.2%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 128,714 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 31.6 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 7.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 73.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 5.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 9.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Norman
$37,897
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Norman
46.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $65,060 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $37,897 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,929 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 17.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 46.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 52.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 429 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2375 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Norman
9.2%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Norman
12.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 35.8% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.8% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.2% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.8% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 60.2°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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