Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Norman
7.2%
White
Houston
35.5%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Norman
4.2%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 128,714 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 7.2% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 22.9% | 5.1% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.2% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 9.0% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Norman
$37,897
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $37,897 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,929 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Houston, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2375 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.8% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
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 442 in Houston. 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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