Orlando
Florida, USA
#28 in USA
72
Overall Score
VS
Ponca City
Oklahoma, USA
#128 in USA
60
Overall Score
Orlando scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Orlando
Ponca City
Livability
74
60
Affordability
70
85
Business
75
65
Growth
85
45

Cost of Living

Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 25% higher compared to Orlando. Housing costs are a major driver: Orlando's average rent is 85% higher than Ponca City's.
MetricOrlandoPonca CityDiff
Average Rent
$1,479$800+85%
Groceries
$450$649-31%
Utilities
$180$208-13%
Transport
$120$186-35%
Healthcare
$250$139+80%
Monthly Total
$2,479$1,982+25%
Cost Index
9983out of 100

Salary & Income

Orlando offers 99% higher average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Orlando delivers stronger purchasing power — meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day. The minimum comfortable salary in Orlando is estimated at $55,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
MetricOrlandoPonca City
Average Salary
$65,000$32,704
Salary Needed
$55,000$52,000
Purchasing Power
65,657 idx39,402 idx
Household Income
$72,336$55,941

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricOrlandoPonca City
Avg Temp
°F°F
Summer High
°F°F
Winter Low
°F°F
Rainfall
in in
Snowfall
in in
Sunny Days
Humidity
75.00%75.00%

Commute & Transport

Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Orlando. Orlando scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Orlando leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricOrlandoPonca City
Commute Time
26 min16 min
Transit Score
40.0/1020.0/10
Walkability
45.0/1030.0/10
Traffic Index
68.0030.00
Car Dependency
HighHigh

Economy & Demographics

Orlando is the larger city — approximately 13.2x the population of Ponca City. From a growth perspective, Orlando is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Orlando has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricOrlandoPonca City
Population
319,75824,221
Pop. Growth
2.80%%
Median Age
35.037.1
Unemployment
3.50%4.20%
GDP
$0.0B$0.0B

Pros & Cons

Orlando
Advantages
Leading job growth among major U.S. metros, with significant expansion in diverse sectors like healthcare, technology, and advanced manufacturing.
Affordable cost of living compared to the national average, with lower housing and utility expenses.
Vibrant entertainment and tourism industry, offering world-class theme parks and attractions.
Mild winters and warm climate conducive to an active outdoor lifestyle year-round.
Diverse and growing population, contributing to a multicultural community and dynamic urban environment.
Drawbacks
Higher than average violent crime rates in some areas, despite recent decreases.
Significant traffic congestion and long commute times, with drivers wasting an average of 68 hours annually in traffic.
High humidity and oppressive heat during long summer months, often exceeding 100°F heat index.
Lower than national average homeownership rate (39.5%), indicating a strong rental market and potential affordability challenges for buyers.
Grocery costs are slightly 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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Orlando
#28
Florida, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,479
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
99
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.80%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
74
Business
75
View Full Profile
Ponca City
#128
Oklahoma, 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
View Full Profile

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