City Comparison
Duncan vs Ponca City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Duncan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Duncan
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Duncan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Ponca City.
| Metric | Duncan | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $800 | +6% |
| Groceries | $380 | $649 | -41% |
| Utilities | $170 | $208 | -18% |
| Transport | $110 | $186 | -41% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $139 | +58% |
| Monthly Total | $1,730 | $1,982 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Duncan offers 59% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Duncan delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Duncan is estimated at
$42,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Duncan | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,415 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $54,200 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Duncan runs warmer on average — a 64.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Duncan comes out ahead with 289 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Duncan sees 4.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Duncan | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 32.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 4.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 289 | |
| Humidity | 63.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Duncan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Duncan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Duncan | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ponca City is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Duncan.
From a growth perspective, Duncan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Duncan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Duncan | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,692 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Duncan
Advantages
Median home prices in Duncan are significantly below the national average per recent housing data.
Short average commute times allow residents to avoid major traffic congestion.
Low overall cost of living index makes everyday expenses manageable.
Access to comprehensive local medical services via Duncan Regional Hospital.
Strong community engagement and family-friendly neighborhood atmospheres.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation infrastructure requires high car dependency.
Hot summer temperatures can lead to elevated seasonal utility cooling bills.
Narrower diversity of high-paying corporate tech or finance jobs locally.
Fewer high-end entertainment and nightlife options compared to major metros.
Local economic growth rate is modest relative to fast-growing Sun Belt cities.
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.
Duncan
#134Oklahoma, USA
65.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
289/yr
Avg Temp
64.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
73
Business
65
Ponca City
#535Oklahoma, USA
49.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$800
Avg Salary
$32,704
Cost Index
83
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
30.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
60
Business
65
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