Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Norman
31.6
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Norman
7.2%
White
Athens
57.6%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Norman
4.2%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 128,714 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 31.6 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 7.2% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 26.2% | 5.1% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 4.2% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 9.0% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Norman
$57,929
Norman +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Norman
46.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,929 | Norman + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.7% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 46.2% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 429 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2375 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Norman
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Norman
9.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Norman
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Norman
12.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 24.2 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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