Performance
Score Breakdown
Albuquerque
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
133% higher compared to Albuquerque.
Housing costs are a major driver: Albuquerque's average rent is
47% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,178 | $800 | +47% |
| Groceries | $400 | $649 | -38% |
| Utilities | $195 | $208 | -6% |
| Transport | $120 | $186 | -35% |
| Healthcare | $2,723 | $139 | +1859% |
| Monthly Total | $4,616 | $1,982 | +133% |
| Cost Index | 97 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 135% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Albuquerque delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Albuquerque is estimated at
$69,443 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $77,000 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $69,443 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 79,381 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $71,494 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Albuquerque.
Albuquerque scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Albuquerque leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 43.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
— approximately 23.1x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Albuquerque is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 560,326 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Albuquerque
Advantages
The cost of living in Albuquerque is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many U.S. cities.
Housing expenses are notably reasonable, with average rent 29% lower than the national average.
Albuquerque boasts a highly accessible park system, ranking 15th nationally in 2024, with 90% of residents living within a walkable half-mile of a park.
The city offers a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant arts scene, including the renowned International Balloon Fiesta.
Healthcare costs are lower than the national average, with annual medical costs for a single adult around $2,723 in 2024.
Drawbacks
Albuquerque has a high violent crime rate, which is 229% above the national average, resulting in an 'F' safety grade.
The city's overall walkability score of 43 indicates a high reliance on cars for most daily errands.
Despite a decrease in violent crime, burglaries increased by 11% in 2024.
The population experienced a slight decline of 0.25% in 2024.
Specific recent data for long-term care costs (home care, assisted living, nursing home) were not readily available.
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.
Albuquerque
#27New Mexico, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,178
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
97
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
Ponca City
#122Oklahoma, 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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