Norman vs Abilene: Cost of Living (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of Norman, OK and Abilene, TX, using US Census Bureau data.

MetricNorman, OKAbilene, TX
Population127,701126,356
Median household income$62,849$59,254
Median home value$224,900$161,800
Median rent (/mo)$1,004$1,060

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.

Comparing Norman, OK and Abilene, TX comes down to what you value most. Abilene has the lower median home value, and Norman has the lower median rent.

Norman has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Abilene?
By median home value, Abilene is the cheaper of the two ($161,800 vs $224,900). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
Which has higher salaries, Norman or Abilene?
Median household income is $62,849 in Norman versus $59,254 in Abilene, per the US Census Bureau.

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