Performance
Score Breakdown
Al Qusaidat
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
25% higher compared to Al Qusaidat.
Housing costs are a major driver: Al Qusaidat's average rent is
88% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Al Qusaidat | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $800 | +88% |
| Groceries | $450 | $649 | -31% |
| Utilities | $180 | $208 | -13% |
| Transport | $150 | $186 | -19% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $139 | +44% |
| Monthly Total | $2,480 | $1,982 | +25% |
| Cost Index | 65 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Al Qusaidat offers 37% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Al Qusaidat delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Al Qusaidat is estimated at
$40,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Al Qusaidat | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,760 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $40,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,862 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $28,860 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Al Qusaidat | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 63.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Al Qusaidat.
Ponca City 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 | Al Qusaidat | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Al Qusaidat is the larger city
— approximately 16.5x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Al Qusaidat is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Al Qusaidat has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Al Qusaidat | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 400,000 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | % |
| Median Age | 37.1 | |
| Unemployment | 2.17% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $13.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Al Qusaidat
Advantages
Ras Al Khaimah recorded a high Safety Index score of 83.8 in 2025, making it one of the safest cities globally.
The cost of living in Ras Al Khaimah is significantly more affordable than in Dubai, with rent being 45.5% less.
Ras Al Khaimah's real GDP is projected to grow by an average of 4% annually from 2024-2027, indicating strong economic prospects.
The Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) saw a 44% increase in new company registrations in 2025, highlighting a robust business environment.
The emirate's tourism sector experienced a 5.1% growth in hotel guests in 2024, with significant future expansion planned.
Drawbacks
Specific median age data for Al Qusaidat or Ras Al Khaimah is not readily available from recent sources.
Detailed public transit and walkability scores for Al Qusaidat are not available, suggesting potential reliance on private vehicles.
While overall crime rates are low, specific localized crime data for Al Qusaidat is not detailed in available sources.
The average monthly net salary in Ras Al Khaimah (approx. $3,730 USD) is lower than in major UAE cities like Dubai.
Summers in Ras Al Khaimah are extremely hot and muggy, with daily highs often exceeding 40°C (104°F) and high humidity.
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.
Al Qusaidat
#2Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$44,760
Cost Index
65
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
2.17%
Livability
77
Business
80
Ponca City
#114Oklahoma, 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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Al Qusaidat and Ponca City.
Open Cost Calculator