Performance
Score Breakdown
Ponca City
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
8% lower compared to Owasso.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ponca City's average rent is
34% lower than Owasso's.
| Metric | Ponca City | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $800 | $1,214 | -34% |
| Groceries | $649 | $450 | +44% |
| Utilities | $208 | $200 | +4% |
| Transport | $186 | $150 | +24% |
| Healthcare | $139 | $150 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $1,982 | $2,164 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 83 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Owasso offers 22% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Owasso delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Ponca City is estimated at
$52,000 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Ponca City | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $32,704 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 39,402 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $55,941 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Ponca City | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Owasso.
For walkability, Ponca City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ponca City | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 28.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Owasso is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Owasso 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 | Ponca City | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,221 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Owasso
Advantages
Owasso consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in Oklahoma, with low violent and property crime rates.
The city offers a high quality of life with a livability score of 78/100 and a strong sense of community.
Owasso's cost of living is approximately 6% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to live.
The local economy is growing, with a job growth rate of 3.3% in 2024, outperforming state and metro averages.
Owasso boasts highly-rated public schools, making it an attractive location for families.
Drawbacks
The city is highly car-dependent, with a low walkability score of 28 and limited public transportation options.
Rapid growth has led to some traffic congestion and construction challenges that are not yet fully accommodated.
Some residents express a desire for more diversity within the community.
Specific data on new business growth rates is not readily available.
Detailed cost breakdowns for utilities, food, and healthcare services are not consistently available for Owasso specifically.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Owasso
#5Oklahoma, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,214
Avg Salary
$41,807
Cost Index
94
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
28.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.54%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
78
Business
73
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