City Comparison
Muskogee vs Ponca City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Muskogee scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Muskogee
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Muskogee is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Ponca City.
| Metric | Muskogee | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $800 | +6% |
| Groceries | $360 | $649 | -45% |
| Utilities | $165 | $208 | -21% |
| Transport | $105 | $186 | -44% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $139 | +51% |
| Monthly Total | $1,690 | $1,982 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Muskogee offers 47% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Muskogee delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Muskogee is estimated at
$42,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Muskogee | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $45,500 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Muskogee runs warmer on average — a 62.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Muskogee comes out ahead with 277 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Muskogee sees 10 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Muskogee | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 31.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 48.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 10.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 277 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Muskogee scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Muskogee leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Muskogee | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Muskogee is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Muskogee 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 | Muskogee | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 36,878 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Muskogee
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the U.S. national average per Census and Zillow data.
Honor Heights Park hosts the nationally famous annual Azalea Festival, offering exceptional outdoor beauty.
Short average commute times provide residents with more daily free time compared to major metro areas.
Rich cultural and historical heritage rooted in Native American history and regional museums.
Port of Muskogee provides strong industrial logistics capabilities and regional employment opportunities.
Drawbacks
Property and violent crime rates are higher than the national average per FBI crime data.
Public transportation options are very limited, resulting in high car dependency.
Job growth rates lag behind high-growth metropolitan technology and finance hubs.
Fewer high-end dining and entertainment options compared to nearby Tulsa.
Humid subtropical summer conditions feature frequent high temperatures requiring sustained air conditioning use.
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.
Muskogee
#502Oklahoma, USA
52.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
277/yr
Avg Temp
62.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
68
Business
60
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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