Performance
Score Breakdown
Fairbanks
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
48% higher compared to Fairbanks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fairbanks's average rent is
83% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,464 | $800 | +83% |
| Groceries | $550 | $649 | -15% |
| Utilities | $617 | $208 | +197% |
| Transport | $120 | $186 | -35% |
| Healthcare | $187 | $139 | +35% |
| Monthly Total | $2,938 | $1,982 | +48% |
| Cost Index | 123 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fairbanks offers 74% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fairbanks delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fairbanks is estimated at
$87,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,940 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $87,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,293 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $73,534 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Fairbanks | 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
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Fairbanks.
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 | Fairbanks | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fairbanks is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Fairbanks 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 | Fairbanks | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,282 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 29.0 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fairbanks
Advantages
Average rent in Fairbanks is 20% lower than the national average, making it more affordable for renters.
The housing market is a strong seller's market, with homes selling for 102.11% of the asking price in March 2026.
Job growth is forecasted at 0.8% for 2026, with significant growth in healthcare and transportation sectors.
Fairbanks offers unparalleled access to outdoor activities and a strong sense of community.
The median age of 29 years indicates a relatively young and dynamic population.
Drawbacks
The overall cost of living in Fairbanks is 23% higher than the national average.
Utility prices are significantly higher, approximately 112% above the national average.
Grocery prices are 23% higher than the national average.
The city's population is projected to decline by -0.59% annually.
Government jobs are forecasted to decline, impacting a significant employment sector.
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.
Fairbanks
#65Alaska, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,464
Avg Salary
$56,940
Cost Index
123
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
72
Business
65
Ponca City
#98Oklahoma, 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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