City Comparison
Enid vs Ponca City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Enid scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Enid
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Enid is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Ponca City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Enid's average rent is
19% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Enid | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $800 | +19% |
| Groceries | $380 | $649 | -41% |
| Utilities | $170 | $208 | -18% |
| Transport | $110 | $186 | -41% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $139 | +58% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $1,982 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Enid offers 62% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Enid delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Enid is estimated at
$45,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Enid | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,000 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,095 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $56,500 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Enid runs warmer on average — a 61.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Enid comes out ahead with 282 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Enid sees 6.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Enid | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 34.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 6.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 282 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Enid scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Enid leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Enid | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 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
Enid is the larger city
— approximately 2.1x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Enid is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Enid has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Enid | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,123 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Enid
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates are significantly below the national average per Zillow and US Census data.
Short average commute times of under 20 minutes make daily travel stress-free.
Presence of Vance Air Force Base contributes a stable, patriotic, and diverse economic foundation.
Abundant recreational spaces, including the expansive Meadowlake Park and local aquatic facilities.
Strong local healthcare infrastructure anchored by two major regional medical centers.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are very limited, creating high reliance on personal automobiles.
Extreme weather events, including summer heat waves and occasional severe spring storms, require preparedness.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger metropolitan hubs like Oklahoma City.
Local average wages and median household incomes trail national benchmarks.
Air quality and climate can be impacted by regional wind, agricultural dust, and seasonal allergens.
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.
Enid
#140Oklahoma, USA
65.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$53,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
282/yr
Avg Temp
61.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
69
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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