Norman OK vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Wichita Falls
33.0
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wichita Falls +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 102,558 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 33.0 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 7.2% | Wichita Falls + |
| White | 73.0% | 70.1% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.7% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $58,568 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $31,987 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 17.4% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 25.0% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Norman +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 442 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2339 | Wichita Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 12.6% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 16.9% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.8% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.9% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 63.4°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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