Performance
Score Breakdown
Wanaka
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wanaka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
13% lower compared to Ponca City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wanaka's average rent is
28% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Wanaka | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,021 | $800 | +28% |
| Groceries | $323 | $649 | -50% |
| Utilities | $103 | $208 | -50% |
| Transport | $120 | $186 | -35% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $139 | +8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,717 | $1,982 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 138 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ponca City offers 92% 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 Wanaka is estimated at
$1,864 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Wanaka | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $2,570 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $1,864 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 1,862 idx | 39,402 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Wanaka | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Wanaka.
Ponca City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ponca City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wanaka | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ponca City is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Wanaka.
From a growth perspective, Wanaka 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 | Wanaka | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,261 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.22% | % |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wanaka
Advantages
Wanaka is one of the fastest-growing towns in New Zealand, indicating strong economic and population growth.
The town offers a high quality of life with abundant outdoor activities in both summer and winter seasons.
A new $300 million hospital with a 24-hour emergency department has been approved and is under development, significantly improving healthcare access.
Wanaka boasts a high safety index of 89, making it a very secure place to live.
The median after-tax salary in Wanaka is sufficient to cover living expenses for nearly three months.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Wanaka is very high, particularly for housing.
Average house values are substantial, making homeownership a significant financial commitment.
Rental prices are high, with a median weekly rent of $950 NZD (approximately $557 USD) as of June 2026.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to a medium to high car dependency.
While a new hospital is planned, the current healthcare infrastructure may be perceived as needing improvement to keep pace with population growth.
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.
Wanaka
#1Otago, New Zealand
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,021
Avg Salary
$2,570
Cost Index
138
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.22%
Unemployment
5.08%
Livability
74
Business
68
Ponca City
#122Oklahoma, 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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