Performance
Score Breakdown
Aurora
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
27% higher compared to Aurora.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aurora's average rent is
114% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Aurora | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,715 | $800 | +114% |
| Groceries | $355 | $649 | -45% |
| Utilities | $355 | $208 | +71% |
| Transport | $88 | $186 | -53% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $139 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,513 | $1,982 | +27% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aurora offers 89% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Aurora delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Aurora is estimated at
$41,621 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Aurora | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,855 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $41,621 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,053 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $93,837 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aurora | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 50.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Aurora.
Aurora scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aurora leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Aurora | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 43.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 43.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aurora is the larger city
— approximately 17.3x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Aurora is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aurora has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Aurora | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 418,218 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | % |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aurora
Advantages
Aurora boasts a diverse and growing population, with a projected 418,218 residents in 2026.
The city is a major healthcare hub, home to the Anschutz Medical Campus and numerous hospitals, providing excellent medical access and employment.
Aurora offers abundant outdoor recreational opportunities with over 97 parks and 5,000 acres of open space and trails.
The average rent in Aurora is generally lower than in neighboring Denver, offering more affordable housing options.
The job market shows good growth, with a 1.71% employment increase in 2024, particularly in healthcare, retail, and construction sectors.
Drawbacks
Aurora has a significantly high crime rate, with an overall crime rate of 7,072 per 100,000 residents in 2024.
The city is largely car-dependent, with a low Walk Score of 43 and limited public transit options in many areas.
The cost of living in Aurora is slightly higher than the national average, with an index of 103.
Assisted living costs in Aurora are higher than both the state and national averages, at approximately $5,014 per month in 2024.
Healthcare costs are 19% higher than the national average, impacting overall affordability.
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.
Aurora
#69Colorado, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,715
Avg Salary
$61,855
Cost Index
103
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
43.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
65
Business
70
Ponca City
#102Oklahoma, 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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