Performance
Score Breakdown
Starkville
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
41% higher compared to Starkville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Starkville's average rent is
125% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Starkville | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $800 | +125% |
| Groceries | $450 | $649 | -31% |
| Utilities | $180 | $208 | -13% |
| Transport | $120 | $186 | -35% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $139 | +80% |
| Monthly Total | $2,800 | $1,982 | +41% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Starkville offers 99% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Starkville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Starkville is estimated at
$55,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Starkville | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $42,125 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Starkville runs warmer on average — a 65.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Starkville comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Starkville sees 2.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Starkville | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 37.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 49.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Starkville.
Starkville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ponca City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Starkville | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 29.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Starkville is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Starkville 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 | Starkville | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,753 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 26.0 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 6.10% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Starkville
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with an index of 95, making it slightly less expensive than the national average.
Strong educational environment and cultural vibrancy driven by Mississippi State University.
Low violent crime rate, making it one of the safer cities in the nation in this regard.
Friendly community atmosphere and Southern hospitality, contributing to a welcoming environment.
Significant economic contribution from tourism, with nearly $200 million in visitor spending in 2024.
Drawbacks
High car dependency for most transportation needs, with a walkability score of 29.
Job market heavily reliant on the university and specific industries like education and manufacturing.
Limited public transportation options outside of university routes.
OCH Regional Medical Center has received mixed ratings, with an overall CMS rating of 2 out of 5 stars.
Median rent is approximately $1,800 per month, which can be a significant cost for some residents.
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.
Starkville
#28Mississippi, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
29.0/10
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
65.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
Ponca City
#128Oklahoma, 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
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