Brandenburg an der Havel
Brandenburg, Germany
#3 in Germany
72
Overall Score
VS
Ponca City
Oklahoma, USA
#128 in USA
60
Overall Score
Brandenburg an der Havel scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Brandenburg an der Havel
Ponca City
Livability
74
60
Affordability
65
85
Business
68
65
Growth
70
45

Cost of Living

Brandenburg an der Havel is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 29% lower compared to Ponca City. Housing costs are a major driver: Brandenburg an der Havel's average rent is 36% lower than Ponca City's.
MetricBrandenburg an der HavelPonca CityDiff
Average Rent
$515$800-36%
Groceries
$450$649-31%
Utilities
$180$208-13%
Transport
$120$186-35%
Healthcare
$150$139+8%
Monthly Total
$1,415$1,982-29%
Cost Index
9583out of 100

Salary & Income

Brandenburg an der Havel offers 31% higher average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Brandenburg an der Havel delivers stronger purchasing power — meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day. The minimum comfortable salary in Brandenburg an der Havel is estimated at $35,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
MetricBrandenburg an der HavelPonca City
Average Salary
$42,876$32,704
Salary Needed
$35,000$52,000
Purchasing Power
45,133 idx39,402 idx

Climate Comparison

Brandenburg an der Havel runs warmer on average — a 51.4°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Brandenburg an der Havel comes out ahead with 259 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Brandenburg an der Havel sees 10.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricBrandenburg an der HavelPonca City
Avg Temp
51.40°F°F
Summer High
74.80°F°F
Winter Low
31.40°F°F
Rainfall
22.80 in in
Snowfall
10.90 in in
Sunny Days
259
Humidity
65.00%75.00%

Commute & Transport

Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Brandenburg an der Havel. Brandenburg an der Havel scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Brandenburg an der Havel leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricBrandenburg an der HavelPonca City
Commute Time
28 min16 min
Transit Score
55.0/1020.0/10
Walkability
60.0/1030.0/10
Traffic Index
45.0030.00
Car Dependency
MediumHigh

Economy & Demographics

Brandenburg an der Havel is the larger city — approximately 3.1x the population of Ponca City. From a growth perspective, Brandenburg an der Havel 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.
MetricBrandenburg an der HavelPonca City
Population
74,11324,221
Pop. Growth
0.00%%
Median Age
37.1
Unemployment
9.00%4.20%
GDP
$0.0B$0.0B

Pros & Cons

Brandenburg an der Havel
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, particularly for housing, compared to major German cities [14, 34].
Rich historical heritage, serving as the original capital of the Margraviate of Brandenburg [5, 21].
Abundant natural beauty with extensive waterways and green spaces, ideal for outdoor recreation [6, 21].
Designated as a Regional Growth Core (RWK), indicating focus on economic development and innovation [10, 25].
Moderate unemployment rate and active job market in key sectors like healthcare and logistics [12, 28].
Drawbacks
Median household income data is not readily available, making detailed financial planning challenging.
Specific walkability and transit scores are not provided, though general accessibility is implied.
While generally safe, petty crime can occur, requiring standard urban precautions [18].
The city's economy is still developing, with some sectors showing slower growth compared to national averages [9].
Median age data is not explicitly available in the search results.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Brandenburg an der Havel
#3
Brandenburg, Germany
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$515
Avg Salary
$42,876
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
259/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.00%
Unemployment
9.00%
Livability
74
Business
68
View Full Profile
Ponca City
#128
Oklahoma, 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
View Full Profile

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