Performance
Score Breakdown
Moreno Valley
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
61% higher compared to Moreno Valley.
Housing costs are a major driver: Moreno Valley's average rent is
135% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Moreno Valley | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,881 | $800 | +135% |
| Groceries | $413 | $649 | -36% |
| Utilities | $180 | $208 | -13% |
| Transport | $410 | $186 | +120% |
| Healthcare | $302 | $139 | +117% |
| Monthly Total | $3,186 | $1,982 | +61% |
| Cost Index | 117 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Moreno Valley offers 80% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Moreno Valley delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Moreno Valley is estimated at
$70,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Moreno Valley | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,932 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,369 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $93,222 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Moreno Valley | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 60.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Moreno Valley.
For walkability, Ponca City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Moreno Valley | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Moreno Valley is the larger city
— approximately 8.9x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Moreno Valley 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 | Moreno Valley | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 215,549 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | % |
| Median Age | 32.5 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Moreno Valley
Advantages
More affordable housing market compared to other major Southern California cities, with median home prices significantly lower than Murrieta and Temecula.
Strategic location with direct freeway access to Los Angeles and Orange County, offering shorter commute times for many.
Growing industrial sector, particularly in logistics and warehousing, providing steady employment opportunities.
Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters, conducive to outdoor activities year-round.
Diverse and relatively young population, contributing to a vibrant community atmosphere.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is 17% higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing and transportation costs.
Higher violent and property crime rates compared to national averages.
Heavily car-dependent city with a walk score of 0, necessitating a car for most daily activities.
Recent job growth has seen a decline of 1.38% in employment from June 2025 to June 2026.
School performance and safety statistics reportedly lag behind some neighboring cities like Murrieta and Temecula.
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.
Moreno Valley
#64California, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,881
Avg Salary
$58,932
Cost Index
117
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
65
Business
70
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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