Performance
Score Breakdown
East Hartford
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
35% higher compared to East Hartford.
Housing costs are a major driver: East Hartford's average rent is
98% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | East Hartford | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,583 | $800 | +98% |
| Groceries | $350 | $649 | -46% |
| Utilities | $250 | $208 | +20% |
| Transport | $300 | $186 | +61% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $139 | +44% |
| Monthly Total | $2,683 | $1,982 | +35% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
East Hartford offers 9% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Ponca City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in East Hartford is estimated at
$29,796 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | East Hartford | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $35,770 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $29,796 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 37,653 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $70,778 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | East Hartford | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to East Hartford.
East Hartford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, East Hartford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | East Hartford | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 26.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 33.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
East Hartford is the larger city
— approximately 2.1x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, East Hartford 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 | East Hartford | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,693 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
East Hartford
Advantages
The median household income in East Hartford grew by 5.73% from 2023 to 2024, reaching $70,778.
East Hartford's violent crime rate is 89% below the national average, contributing to a high safety score.
The cost of living in East Hartford is 11% lower than the Connecticut average, making it more affordable.
The average commute time of 22.4 minutes is shorter than the national average.
Employment in East Hartford grew at a rate of 2.21% from 2023 to 2024.
Drawbacks
East Hartford's population is projected to decline by -0.07% annually in 2026.
The town's Walk Score of 33 indicates it is car-dependent, with most errands requiring a car.
Educational attainment levels are lower than Hartford County, with 18% of residents having a four-year college degree or higher, compared to 40% in the County.
The Transit Score of 26 suggests limited public transportation options for car-free living.
East Hartford's crime rates are 17% higher than the Connecticut average, despite being lower than the national average for violent crime.
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.
East Hartford
#21Connecticut, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,583
Avg Salary
$35,770
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
26.0/10
Walkability
33.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
73
Business
68
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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