Performance
Score Breakdown
Broomfield
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Broomfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
65% lower compared to Ponca City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Broomfield's average rent is
100% lower than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Broomfield | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $800 | -100% |
| Groceries | $400 | $649 | -38% |
| Utilities | $180 | $208 | -13% |
| Transport | $120 | $186 | -35% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $139 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $700 | $1,982 | -65% |
| Cost Index | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ponca City offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Broomfield | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $52,000 |
| Household Income | $123,874 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Broomfield | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 44.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Broomfield.
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 | Broomfield | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 10.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 16.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Broomfield is the larger city
— approximately 3.3x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Broomfield is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Broomfield has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Broomfield | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,154 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.24% | % |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Broomfield
Advantages
Broomfield consistently ranks high for safety, named the #1 safest midsize city in the U.S. by SmartAsset.
The city boasts a high livability score of 85/100, ranking in the 98th percentile nationally.
Broomfield has a strong and growing job market, with employment increasing by 1.43% from 2023 to 2024.
The average commute time of 25.5 minutes is efficient for a metro area of its size, aided by good regional access via US 36.
The city offers extensive open spaces and recreational opportunities, including over 8,000 acres of trails and parks.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Broomfield is approximately 20% higher than the national average, primarily due to housing costs.
Broomfield has a low Walk Score of 16 and a Transit Score of 10, indicating high car dependency.
While overall crime is low, the overall crime rate is higher than the average US city when considering all crime types.
The housing market is considered overvalued relative to local economic output, with a housing ratio of 10.4x.
Some residents express concerns about environmental factors like air quality from wildfire smoke and past issues related to Rocky Flats.
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.
Broomfield
#28Colorado, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
16.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.24%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
85
Business
68
Ponca City
#128Oklahoma, 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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