Performance
Score Breakdown
Los Algodones
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Los Algodones is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
77% lower compared to Ponca City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Los Algodones's average rent is
100% lower than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Los Algodones | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $800 | -100% |
| Groceries | $400 | $649 | -38% |
| Utilities | $0 | $208 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $186 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $139 | -64% |
| Monthly Total | $450 | $1,982 | -77% |
| Cost Index | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ponca City offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Los Algodones | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $52,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Los Algodones | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 10.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Los Algodones has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Ponca City.
Los Algodones scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Los Algodones leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Los Algodones | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 85.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ponca City is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Los Algodones.
From a growth perspective, Los Algodones is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Los Algodones has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Los Algodones | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,474 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 37.1 | |
| Unemployment | 2.67% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Los Algodones
Advantages
Exceptional affordability for dental and medical procedures, often saving patients 50-80% compared to U.S. prices [8, 27, 33].
High concentration of qualified dentists and medical professionals offering quality care with modern technology [8, 18, 27].
Extremely safe environment for tourists, with a strong community focus on visitor well-being and a low crime rate [5, 13, 15, 16].
Highly walkable town with services concentrated in a few blocks, making it easy to navigate between appointments and amenities [15, 18].
Warm, dry climate, particularly pleasant for "snowbirds" during the winter months [3, 48].
Drawbacks
Limited permanent population and infrastructure beyond its medical tourism focus, potentially offering fewer amenities for long-term residents [41].
Reliance on tourism makes the local economy vulnerable to external factors affecting travel and cross-border access.
While safe for tourists, the town's primary purpose is medical services, which may limit diverse economic opportunities for permanent residents.
Information on specific local housing markets and long-term rental availability is scarce.
The town's small size and singular economic focus may result in a less diverse cultural or recreational landscape compared to larger cities.
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.
Los Algodones
#5Baja California, Mexico
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
85.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.67%
Livability
65
Business
65
Ponca City
#127Oklahoma, 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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