Norman OK vs Odessa TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Odessa
51.9%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Odessa
6.8%
Odessa +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 114,080 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 73.0% | 51.9% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 6.8% | Odessa + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.9% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Odessa
$35,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $35,655 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 18.3% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Norman +
Odessa
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Odessa
2339
Odessa +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 442 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2339 | Odessa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Odessa
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Odessa
14.0%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 39.4% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 12.9% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 25.4% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.1% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.0% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 65.6°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 23.7 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while odessa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,423. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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