Performance
Score Breakdown
Biddeford
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
107% higher compared to Biddeford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Biddeford's average rent is
175% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Biddeford | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,199 | $800 | +175% |
| Groceries | $426 | $649 | -34% |
| Utilities | $428 | $208 | +106% |
| Transport | $789 | $186 | +324% |
| Healthcare | $252 | $139 | +81% |
| Monthly Total | $4,094 | $1,982 | +107% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Biddeford offers 107% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Biddeford delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Biddeford is estimated at
$87,960 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Biddeford | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $67,565 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $87,960 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,381 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $72,333 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Biddeford | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 71.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Biddeford.
Biddeford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Biddeford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Biddeford | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 45.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ponca City is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Biddeford.
From a growth perspective, Biddeford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Biddeford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Biddeford | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,932 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Biddeford
Advantages
Vibrant downtown with revitalized historic mill buildings and cultural attractions.
Lower unemployment rate (3% in May 2026) compared to the national average.
Strong presence of top industries like Education and Health Care and Social Services providing job opportunities.
Relatively young median age (35.0 years) contributing to a dynamic community.
Access to a full-service hospital, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Biddeford, within the city.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living is significantly higher than the national average (22% higher in 2026).
Highest violent crime rate in Maine (313.8 per 100K in 2024) and overall crime rate 26% higher than national average.
Housing costs are notably high, with average apartment rent at $2,199/month in July 2026.
High car dependency due to limited public transportation options.
Long-term care costs, such as assisted living and nursing homes, are considerably higher than national averages.
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.
Biddeford
#111Maine, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,199
Avg Salary
$67,565
Cost Index
122
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
67
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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