Norman OK vs Waco 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 73.0% | 54.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.0% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $51,468 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $28,819 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 24.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 28.6% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 48.9% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Norman +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 442 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 13.0% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.4% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 20.4% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.2% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.1% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 66.6°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Waco, 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
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco 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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