Performance
Score Breakdown
Davenport
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Davenport is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% lower compared to Ponca City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Davenport's average rent is
13% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Davenport | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $902 | $800 | +13% |
| Groceries | $400 | $649 | -38% |
| Utilities | $260 | $208 | +25% |
| Transport | $120 | $186 | -35% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $139 | +44% |
| Monthly Total | $1,882 | $1,982 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Davenport offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Davenport delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Davenport is estimated at
$67,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Davenport | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $38,673 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $67,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 42,498 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $66,200 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Davenport | Ponca 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% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Davenport.
Ponca City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Davenport leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Davenport | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 44.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Davenport is the larger city
— approximately 4.2x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Davenport is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Davenport | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,913 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Davenport
Advantages
The cost of living in Davenport is 9% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Davenport boasts a shorter average commute time of 19.4 minutes compared to the national average, saving residents time.
The city offers award-winning healthcare systems and has 11 hospitals, ensuring good access to medical care.
Davenport provides extensive recreational opportunities with over 50 parks and 20 miles of trails for various outdoor activities.
The housing market is affordable, with a median home sale price of $190,000 in June 2026, which is 46% lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Davenport's crime rates are 168% higher than the Iowa average, indicating significant safety concerns.
Population growth in Davenport has been relatively flat since 1980, hovering around 100,000 residents.
The city has limited public transit options and a low walkability score of 44, leading to a medium to high car dependency for most errands.
Despite some growing sectors, overall job growth in the Quad Cities metro area has been mixed, with recent job losses in some months of 2026.
Davenport experiences cold and snowy winters, with average low temperatures around 15°F in January.
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.
Davenport
#64Iowa, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$902
Avg Salary
$38,673
Cost Index
91
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
44.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
70
Business
65
Ponca City
#97Oklahoma, 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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