Chattanooga TN 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)
Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee · Population: 182,832
- Median HH Income$61,028
- Median Home Price$322,291
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
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
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Norman
7.2%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 128,714 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 7.2% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 28.6% | 5.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 9.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Norman
$37,897
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $37,897 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $57,929 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 52.7% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2375 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 24.2 min | Chattanooga + |
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, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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