Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Norman
7.2%
White
Austin
59.9%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Norman
4.2%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 128,714 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 7.2% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 7.5% | 5.1% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 4.2% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 9.0% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Norman
$37,897
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Norman
46.2%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $65,060 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $37,897 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,929 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.7% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 17.0% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 46.2% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Austin, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2375 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Norman
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Norman
12.8%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 35.8% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 9.8% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.8% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.8% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 38.9 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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