City Comparison
Ponca City vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Grants Pass scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ponca City
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
23% lower compared to Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ponca City's average rent is
45% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Ponca City | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $800 | $1,450 | -45% |
| Groceries | $649 | $450 | +44% |
| Utilities | $208 | $400 | -48% |
| Transport | $186 | $120 | +55% |
| Healthcare | $139 | $150 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $1,982 | $2,570 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 83 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 49% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Grants Pass delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Ponca City is estimated at
$52,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Ponca City | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $32,704 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 39,402 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $55,941 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Ponca City | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Grants Pass scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grants Pass leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ponca City | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass 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 | Ponca City | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,221 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Grants Pass
Advantages
Access to world-class outdoor recreation on the Rogue River, including rafting and fishing.
More sunny days and a warmer, drier climate compared to much of western Oregon.
Housing is comparatively more affordable than larger West Coast cities and some other Oregon metros.
A growing arts and food scene in a walkable, historic downtown.
Friendly community atmosphere appealing to families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Overall crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, particularly due to property crime.
Limited high-wage job opportunities compared to larger economic centers.
Air quality can be impacted by wildfire smoke during certain seasons.
Presence of a significant homeless population in the downtown core.
High car dependency due to minimal public transportation options.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Ponca City
#155Oklahoma, USA
43.0 / 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
Grants Pass
#133Oregon, USA
49.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$64,331
Cost Index
112
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
27.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
60
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