Performance
Score Breakdown
Barrie
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
21% higher compared to Barrie.
Housing costs are a major driver: Barrie's average rent is
109% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Barrie | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,669 | $800 | +109% |
| Groceries | $450 | $649 | -31% |
| Utilities | $182 | $208 | -13% |
| Transport | $90 | $186 | -52% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $139 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,391 | $1,982 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Barrie offers 54% higher average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Barrie is estimated at
$66,756 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Barrie | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,212 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $66,756 | $52,000 |
| Household Income | $73,434 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Barrie | 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
Barrie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Ponca City.
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 | Barrie | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Barrie is the larger city
— approximately 7x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Barrie 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 | Barrie | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,419 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | % |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 9.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Barrie
Advantages
Barrie has been consistently ranked as one of Canada's safest cities, with a Crime Severity Index significantly below the national average.
The city is experiencing strong population growth, projected to nearly double by 2051, indicating a dynamic and expanding community.
Housing costs in Barrie are considerably lower than in the Greater Toronto Area, offering more affordable homeownership opportunities.
Its prime location on Kempenfelt Bay provides extensive waterfront access, beaches, and outdoor recreational activities year-round.
The Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) is a major regional hospital and Level III trauma centre, ensuring high-quality healthcare access.
Drawbacks
Barrie experienced a relatively high unemployment rate of 9.2% in April 2026, which is above the national average.
A significant portion of Barrie's working residents commute to the Greater Toronto Area, leading to longer commute times for many.
Rental prices in Barrie are slightly above the Canadian national average, impacting affordability for renters.
While efforts are underway, the current job market requires further development to meet the needs of its growing population and reduce out-of-city commuting.
Specific public transit and walkability scores are not readily available, suggesting potential areas for improvement in urban mobility infrastructure.
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.
Barrie
#23Ontario, Canada
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,669
Avg Salary
$50,212
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
9.20%
Livability
75
Business
65
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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