Performance
Score Breakdown
Benton
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Benton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
7% lower compared to Ponca City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Benton's average rent is
15% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Benton | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $917 | $800 | +15% |
| Groceries | $400 | $649 | -38% |
| Utilities | $180 | $208 | -13% |
| Transport | $150 | $186 | -19% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $139 | +44% |
| Monthly Total | $1,847 | $1,982 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Benton offers 33% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Benton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Benton is estimated at
$55,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Benton | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $43,632 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,426 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $72,876 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Benton | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Benton.
Benton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Benton | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Benton is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Benton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Benton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Benton | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 36,595 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | % |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Benton
Advantages
The cost of living in Benton is approximately 8% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Benton boasts a highly-rated school district, making it attractive for families.
The city has experienced significant economic growth, with Benton County seeing a 15.5% increase in average weekly wages in 2024.
Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton holds an 'A' safety grade and has received awards for cardiac care, indicating high-quality healthcare access.
Benton offers a small-town charm with convenient access to the amenities and employment opportunities of nearby Little Rock.
Drawbacks
Benton has a low Walk Score of 30/100 and is largely car-dependent, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
The city has a high flood risk in certain areas, potentially requiring mandatory flood insurance and higher utility costs.
Benton's violent crime rate of 414.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024 is 18% above the national average.
Public transit options are very limited, with only about 0.1% of residents using it for commuting.
Commutes to major job centers like Little Rock can take 30-45 minutes, which might be a drawback for some residents.
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.
Benton
#69Arkansas, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$917
Avg Salary
$43,632
Cost Index
92
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
66
Business
70
Ponca City
#102Oklahoma, 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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