City Comparison
Moore vs Ponca City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Moore scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Moore
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Moore.
Housing costs are a major driver: Moore's average rent is
69% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Moore | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $800 | +69% |
| Groceries | $380 | $649 | -41% |
| Utilities | $175 | $208 | -16% |
| Transport | $115 | $186 | -38% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $139 | +73% |
| Monthly Total | $2,260 | $1,982 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Moore offers 90% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Moore delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Moore is estimated at
$52,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Moore | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,391 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $76,500 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Moore runs warmer on average — a 63°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Moore comes out ahead with 274 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Moore sees 5.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Moore | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 31.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 5.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 274 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Moore.
Moore scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Moore leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Moore | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Moore is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Moore is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moore has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Moore | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 62,888 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | — |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Moore
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain significantly below the US national average per Zillow data.
Proximity to Oklahoma City provides exceptional access to major employment hubs and cultural amenities.
Moore Public Schools are widely recognized as a top-tier district within the state of Oklahoma.
Abundant neighborhood parks and recreational facilities support an active, family-friendly lifestyle.
Low overall cost of living index makes the city highly attractive for first-time homebuyers.
Drawbacks
The region experiences a high frequency of severe weather events, including tornadoes, requiring robust storm preparedness.
Public transportation options are minimal, resulting in a high reliance on personal automobiles.
Traffic congestion along Interstate 35 during peak commuting hours can add time to daily travel.
Summer temperatures regularly reach high levels, necessitating increased energy costs for cooling.
Local nightlife and entertainment options within city limits are relatively limited compared to nearby urban centers.
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.
Moore
#105Oklahoma, USA
67.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
274/yr
Avg Temp
63.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
75
Business
68
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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