Performance
Score Breakdown
Abbotsford
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
17% higher compared to Abbotsford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Abbotsford's average rent is
66% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,324 | $800 | +66% |
| Groceries | $446 | $649 | -31% |
| Utilities | $185 | $208 | -11% |
| Transport | $120 | $186 | -35% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $139 | +80% |
| Monthly Total | $2,325 | $1,982 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 75 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Abbotsford offers 3% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Abbotsford delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Abbotsford is estimated at
$45,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $33,790 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 45,053 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $63,306 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Abbotsford.
Abbotsford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ponca City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 70.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 20.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Abbotsford is the larger city
— approximately 7.4x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Abbotsford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ponca City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,976 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.06% | % |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 6.91% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Abbotsford
Advantages
Abbotsford's crime rates are 35% lower than the British Columbia average.
The cost of living in Abbotsford is 7% lower than the British Columbia average.
Abbotsford was ranked as the third-best city in Canada for livability in a March 2026 study, largely due to its affordability and disposable income.
The city has a strong economic climate and has been recognized as a favorable place to do business.
Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre is a 300-bed facility offering a wide range of healthcare services.
Drawbacks
Abbotsford's walkability score is low (2/10), meaning most destinations require a car.
A March 2026 study noted Abbotsford's safety ranking was lower compared to other major Canadian cities.
The city scores worse or no better in seven of nine indicators related to the healthy built environment.
Concerns about the quality of care at Abbotsford Regional Hospital have been raised in recent years.
Household incomes have not kept pace with the rising housing costs, which increased significantly between 2016 and 2021.
Ponca City
Advantages
The cost of living in Ponca City is 17.4% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing expenses are significantly lower, approximately 30.8% less expensive than the national average.
The average commute time is relatively short at 15.7 minutes.
Ponca City has a strong presence of manufacturing, agriculture, and energy industries, providing diverse employment opportunities.
The city offers a temperate climate with distinct seasonal changes, suitable for various outdoor activities.
Drawbacks
Ponca City has a higher crime rate than the national average, with an overall safety grade of D+.
The city has experienced a slight population decline, with a projected annual rate of -0.02% in 2026.
Employment in Ponca City saw a decline of -0.508% from 2023 to 2024.
Public transportation options are limited, and the city is highly car-dependent.
The poverty rate in Ponca City is 17.95%, which is higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Abbotsford
#13British Columbia, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,324
Avg Salary
$33,790
Cost Index
75
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
70.0/10
Walkability
20.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.06%
Unemployment
6.91%
Livability
73
Business
68
Ponca City
#117Oklahoma, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$800
Avg Salary
$32,704
Cost Index
83
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
60
Business
65
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