Knoxville 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)
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
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
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 128,714 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 7.2% | Norman + |
| White | 72.2% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 15.7% | 5.1% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 9.0% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $57,929 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.7% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2375 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 60.2°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, 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
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.2 min | Knoxville + |
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 Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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