Performance
Score Breakdown
Edmundston
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Edmundston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% lower compared to Ponca City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Edmundston's average rent is
60% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Edmundston | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,281 | $800 | +60% |
| Groceries | $318 | $649 | -51% |
| Utilities | $125 | $208 | -40% |
| Transport | $163 | $186 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $139 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,887 | $1,982 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ponca City offers 5% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Edmundston is estimated at
$27,130 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Edmundston | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $30,938 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $27,130 | $52,000 |
| Household Income | $41,464 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Edmundston | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 76.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Edmundston 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, Edmundston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Edmundston | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 10.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ponca City is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Edmundston.
From a growth perspective, Edmundston 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 | Edmundston | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,508 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.84% | % |
| Median Age | 49.7 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 6.91% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Edmundston
Advantages
Crime rates are 24% lower than the New Brunswick average.
The cost of living is lower than the national average.
Good access to wellness, fitness, and outdoor spaces.
A new regional public transit system, FlexGo, was launched in February 2025.
The city has a strong sense of community.
Drawbacks
Public transit options were historically limited, though improving with FlexGo.
The average salary in Edmundston is 20% lower than the Canadian average.
The population has a higher proportion of seniors compared to the provincial average.
Education options nearby may require commuting.
The median age is higher than the national average.
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.
Edmundston
#21New Brunswick, Canada
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,281
Avg Salary
$30,938
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.84%
Unemployment
6.91%
Livability
70
Business
0
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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