City Comparison
Albuquerque vs Ponca City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Albuquerque scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Albuquerque
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
133% higher compared to Albuquerque.
Housing costs are a major driver: Albuquerque's average rent is
47% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,178 | $800 | +47% |
| Groceries | $400 | $649 | -38% |
| Utilities | $195 | $208 | -6% |
| Transport | $120 | $186 | -35% |
| Healthcare | $2,723 | $139 | +1859% |
| Monthly Total | $4,616 | $1,982 | +133% |
| Cost Index | 97 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 135% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Albuquerque delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Albuquerque is estimated at
$69,443 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $77,000 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $69,443 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 79,381 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $71,494 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Albuquerque.
Albuquerque scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Albuquerque leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 43.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
— approximately 23.1x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Albuquerque is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 560,326 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Albuquerque
Advantages
The cost of living in Albuquerque is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many U.S. cities.
Housing expenses are notably reasonable, with average rent 29% lower than the national average.
Albuquerque boasts a highly accessible park system, ranking 15th nationally in 2024, with 90% of residents living within a walkable half-mile of a park.
The city offers a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant arts scene, including the renowned International Balloon Fiesta.
Healthcare costs are lower than the national average, with annual medical costs for a single adult around $2,723 in 2024.
Drawbacks
Albuquerque has a high violent crime rate, which is 229% above the national average, resulting in an 'F' safety grade.
The city's overall walkability score of 43 indicates a high reliance on cars for most daily errands.
Despite a decrease in violent crime, burglaries increased by 11% in 2024.
The population experienced a slight decline of 0.25% in 2024.
Specific recent data for long-term care costs (home care, assisted living, nursing home) were not readily available.
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.
Albuquerque
#132New Mexico, USA
49.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,178
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
97
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
Ponca City
#155Oklahoma, USA
43.0 / 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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