Performance
Score Breakdown
Bel Air South
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
58% higher compared to Bel Air South.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bel Air South's average rent is
173% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,187 | $800 | +173% |
| Groceries | $400 | $649 | -38% |
| Utilities | $220 | $208 | +6% |
| Transport | $180 | $186 | -3% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $139 | +8% |
| Monthly Total | $3,137 | $1,982 | +58% |
| Cost Index | 117 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bel Air South offers 90% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bel Air South delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bel Air South is estimated at
$65,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,200 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,162 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $123,653 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Bel Air South.
Ponca City 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 | Bel Air South | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 16.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 22.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bel Air South is the larger city
— approximately 2.5x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Bel Air South is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bel Air South has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,008 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.30% | % |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bel Air South
Advantages
Bel Air South boasts a high median household income of $123,653 as of 2024, significantly exceeding national averages.
The community has an exceptional Livability Score of 82/100, indicating a high quality of life.
Home prices in Bel Air South have shown strong appreciation, with a 12.5% increase in median home prices by May 2026 compared to the previous year.
The area benefits from a strong job market, particularly in education, healthcare, and the defense/technology sectors due to its proximity to Aberdeen Proving Ground.
Access to comprehensive healthcare facilities like UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center Bel Air and MedStar Health at Bel Air Medical Center ensures quality medical care.
Drawbacks
Bel Air South's cost of living is estimated to be 17% higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing and utility costs.
The community is highly car-dependent, with low Walk (22/100) and Transit (16/100) scores, indicating minimal public transportation options.
Crime rates in Bel Air South are reported to be 12% higher than the national average, with violent crimes 13% higher.
The violent crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000 residents is significantly higher than the national average of 3.6.
Utility costs, particularly electricity, are higher than both the Maryland and national averages.
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.
Bel Air South
#49Maryland, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,187
Avg Salary
$62,200
Cost Index
117
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
16.0/10
Walkability
22.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
82
Business
75
Ponca City
#92Oklahoma, 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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