Performance
Score Breakdown
Tagum
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tagum is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
68% lower compared to Ponca City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tagum's average rent is
79% lower than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Tagum | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $165 | $800 | -79% |
| Groceries | $263 | $649 | -59% |
| Utilities | $180 | $208 | -13% |
| Transport | $25 | $186 | -87% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $139 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $633 | $1,982 | -68% |
| Cost Index | 33 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ponca City offers 99% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Ponca City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Tagum is estimated at
$532 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Tagum | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $215 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $532 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 652 idx | 39,402 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Tagum | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 81.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tagum has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Ponca City.
Ponca City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tagum leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tagum | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tagum is the larger city
— approximately 12.4x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Tagum is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Tagum has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tagum | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 300,042 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 37.1 | |
| Unemployment | 2.24% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tagum
Advantages
Tagum City is recognized for its efficient governance and infrastructure, ranking first in Government Efficiency and fourth in Infrastructure among competitive component cities in 2021.
The city offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to many other cities, both globally and within the Philippines.
Tagum boasts a high safety index and relatively low crime rates, contributing to a peaceful and secure environment for residents.
The real estate market in Tagum is considered promising for investment, with property values expected to rise due to ongoing economic growth and infrastructure development.
Tagum is known as the "City of Festivals," hosting numerous cultural and musical events throughout the year, offering a vibrant lifestyle.
Drawbacks
The median after-tax salary in Tagum is relatively low, covering living expenses for less than a month.
Despite a strong walking culture, Tagum still faces walkability barriers such as obstructive objects, parked vehicles, and unclear pedestrian signs.
Electricity prices in Tagum are considered expensive relative to other electric providers.
While the city has decent healthcare, more specialized medical needs might require travel to larger nearby cities like Davao City.
The city experiences consistently high humidity and frequent rainfall throughout the year, which might not appeal to everyone.
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.
Tagum
#1Mindanao, Philippines
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$165
Avg Salary
$215
Cost Index
33
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.24%
Livability
74
Business
68
Ponca City
#119Oklahoma, 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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