Altenburg
Thuringia, Germany
#1 in Germany
76
Overall Score
VS
Ponca City
Oklahoma, USA
#127 in USA
60
Overall Score
Altenburg scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Altenburg
Ponca City
Livability
84
60
Affordability
75
85
Business
72
65
Growth
65
45

Cost of Living

Altenburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 8% lower compared to Ponca City. Housing costs are a major driver: Altenburg's average rent is 31% higher than Ponca City's.
MetricAltenburgPonca CityDiff
Average Rent
$1,050$800+31%
Groceries
$565$649-13%
Utilities
$126$208-39%
Transport
$82$186-56%
Healthcare
$0$139-100%
Monthly Total
$1,823$1,982-8%
Cost Index
9083out of 100

Salary & Income

Altenburg offers 44% higher average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Altenburg delivers stronger purchasing power — meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day. The minimum comfortable salary in Altenburg is estimated at $24,534 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
MetricAltenburgPonca City
Average Salary
$47,124$32,704
Salary Needed
$24,534$52,000
Purchasing Power
52,360 idx39,402 idx
Household Income
$45,845$55,941

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricAltenburgPonca City
Avg Temp
°F°F
Summer High
°F°F
Winter Low
°F°F
Rainfall
in in
Snowfall
in in
Sunny Days
Humidity
69.00%75.00%

Commute & Transport

Altenburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Ponca City. Altenburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Altenburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricAltenburgPonca City
Commute Time
min16 min
Transit Score
75.0/1020.0/10
Walkability
77.0/1030.0/10
Traffic Index
30.00
Car Dependency
MediumHigh

Economy & Demographics

Altenburg is the larger city — approximately 1.3x the population of Ponca City. From a growth perspective, Altenburg 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.
MetricAltenburgPonca City
Population
31,58024,221
Pop. Growth
0.58%%
Median Age
37.1
Unemployment
6.20%4.20%
GDP
$0.0B$0.0B

Pros & Cons

Altenburg
Advantages
Altenburg boasts a very high quality-of-life score of 84/100, with strengths in healthcare, green space, cleanliness, and infrastructure.
The city is highly safe, ranking in the upper tier with a safety index of 83/100, characterized by strong personal safety and low night-time crime.
Altenburg is considered very family-friendly, supported by good education access, safety, parks, and healthcare.
The cost of living is manageable, with a single resident spending approximately $1,574 per month excluding rent, which is around the average for Germany.
The city offers excellent walkability (77/100) and cycling (83/100) scores, along with a functional public transport network.
Drawbacks
Altenburg has a smaller social bubble and a more limited international scene compared to major metropolitan hubs.
Local integration for non-German speakers may be more demanding due to a lower density of English speakers.
The city experienced a significant population decline of nearly 40% since 1988, indicating historical economic challenges.
Specific job growth rates and new business growth rates for Altenburg are not readily available, making economic growth assessment challenging.
The median age is not precisely available, but the age distribution suggests a notable proportion of older residents, which could impact future workforce dynamics.
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.

Altenburg
#1
Thuringia, Germany
76.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$47,124
Cost Index
90
Commute
min
Transit Score
75.0/10
Walkability
77.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.58%
Unemployment
6.20%
Livability
84
Business
72
View Full Profile
Ponca City
#127
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

Calculate Your Cost Impact

Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Altenburg and Ponca City.

Open Cost Calculator