Performance
Score Breakdown
Ponca City
Akron
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 Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ponca City's average rent is
29% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Ponca City | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $800 | $1,123 | -29% |
| Groceries | $649 | $742 | -13% |
| Utilities | $208 | $234 | -11% |
| Transport | $186 | $357 | -48% |
| Healthcare | $139 | $130 | +7% |
| Monthly Total | $1,982 | $2,586 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 83 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 55% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Akron 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 $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Ponca City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $32,704 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 39,402 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $55,941 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Ponca City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Ponca City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Akron leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ponca City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Ponca City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Akron has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ponca City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,221 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.80% |
| 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.
Akron
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Akron is 15% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable city.
Housing costs are significantly lower than the national average, with average monthly rent at $1,123 and median home prices around $153,000.
Akron has a diverse economy with strong industries including healthcare, manufacturing, and the polymer sector.
The city offers a public transportation system (METRO RTA) with affordable monthly passes at $50.
Healthcare costs in Akron are approximately 14% lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Akron has a high crime rate, with an overall crime rate 50% above the national average and a safety grade of C-.
The city is experiencing a projected population decline of -0.9% annually.
Akron has a negative job growth rate, with a 0.461% decline in employed population in 2024.
The lifestyle in Akron is largely car-dependent, with most errands requiring a vehicle and an average Walk Score of 48.
The median household income of $48,076 in 2024 is below the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Akron
#98Ohio, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,123
Avg Salary
$73,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
65
Business
55
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