Performance
Score Breakdown
Paragould
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Paragould is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
2% lower compared to Ponca City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Paragould's average rent is
19% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Paragould | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $800 | +19% |
| Groceries | $450 | $649 | -31% |
| Utilities | $180 | $208 | -13% |
| Transport | $120 | $186 | -35% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $139 | +80% |
| Monthly Total | $1,950 | $1,982 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 74 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Paragould offers 26% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Paragould delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Paragould is estimated at
$66,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Paragould | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $41,176 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $66,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,643 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $56,980 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Paragould | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Paragould.
Paragould scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Paragould leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Paragould | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 35.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Paragould is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Paragould 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 | Paragould | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,135 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | % |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.40% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Paragould
Advantages
Paragould's cost of living is 26% below the national average, making it highly affordable.
The city is experiencing significant growth, ranking among Arkansas's fastest-growing cities with a 1.2% annual population increase.
Residents have access to highly-rated school districts and a modern community center with an aquatic park.
The local economy shows strong employment growth, particularly in manufacturing and healthcare.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities are available, including state parks, hiking trails, and fishing lakes.
Drawbacks
Some healthcare quality metrics, such as pulmonary mortality at the main hospital, have been rated 'worse than expected'.
The city is highly car-dependent, with limited public transit options and an average commute time of 22.8 minutes.
While overall cost of living is low, certain utility costs for renters can be higher than the national average.
The median individual income is lower than the median household income, suggesting a need for dual-income households or careful budgeting for single earners.
Walkability and transit scores are likely low due to the car-centric nature of the city, limiting options for those without personal vehicles.
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.
Paragould
#21Arkansas, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$41,176
Cost Index
74
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
35.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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