El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Norman
7.2%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Norman
5.1%
Norman +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 128,714 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 7.2% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 3.6% | 5.1% | Norman + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 9.0% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,929 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $264,711 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 52.7% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Norman
2375
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2375 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Norman
12.8%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 35.8% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.8% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.8% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 38.9 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
25.1 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
Compare More Cities
El Paso, TX vs New York, NYEl Paso, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs El Paso, TXEl Paso, TX vs Houston, TXEl Paso, TX vs Phoenix, AZEl Paso, TX vs Philadelphia, PA