Memphis 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
Norman
7.2%
White
Memphis
25.0%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 128,714 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.2% | Memphis + |
| White | 25.0% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 62.9% | 5.1% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 9.0% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $57,929 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $264,711 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2375 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Norman
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.0% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, 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
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 24.2 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Memphis, TN vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Memphis, TNChicago, IL vs Memphis, TNHouston, TX vs Memphis, TNMemphis, TN vs Phoenix, AZMemphis, TN vs Philadelphia, PA