Brownsville 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)
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Norman
31.6
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Norman
7.2%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Norman
5.1%
Norman +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 128,714 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 31.6 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 7.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 0.3% | 5.1% | Norman + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 9.0% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,929 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $264,711 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 52.7% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2375 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.8% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 38.9 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Brownsville, 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
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 24.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. 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, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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