Johnson City 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)
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
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
Johnson City
71,455
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Norman
73.0%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 128,714 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 7.2% | Norman + |
| White | 84.0% | 73.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 5.1% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 9.0% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $57,929 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2375 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, 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
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 24.2 min | Johnson City + |
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 Johnson City. 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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