Performance
Score Breakdown
Billings
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% higher compared to Billings.
Housing costs are a major driver: Billings's average rent is
74% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Billings | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,390 | $800 | +74% |
| Groceries | $364 | $649 | -44% |
| Utilities | $306 | $208 | +47% |
| Transport | $0 | $186 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $139 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,060 | $1,982 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Billings offers 109% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Billings delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Billings is estimated at
$71,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Billings | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,328 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $71,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 71,924 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $73,712 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Billings | 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% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Billings scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Billings leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Billings | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 35.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Billings is the larger city
— approximately 5.1x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Billings is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Billings has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Billings | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 123,723 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | % |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.30% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Billings
Advantages
Billings offers a relatively low cost of living, with an index of 95 compared to the U.S. average of 100.
The city boasts a strong and resilient economy, driven by key sectors like healthcare, energy, and agriculture, with a job growth rate of 1.35% (2023-2024).
Residents benefit from advanced healthcare services, including the Billings Clinic, recognized as the best hospital in Southeast Montana.
Billings provides abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, with access to the Yellowstone River, Rimrocks, and proximity to Yellowstone National Park.
The average commute time is short, around 16.5 minutes, contributing to a more relaxed daily rhythm.
Drawbacks
The city has a low Transit Score of 25 and a Walk Score of 35, indicating high car dependency and limited public transportation options.
Safety scores are relatively low (40/100), and residents report lower feelings of safety in downtown areas compared to other communities.
Some everyday expenses, such as groceries and transportation, are slightly higher than the national average.
Winters can be cold and snowy, requiring preparation for harsh weather conditions.
While the city has a bike score of 63, it does not have many dedicated bike lanes.
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.
Billings
#13Montana, USA
77.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,390
Avg Salary
$68,328
Cost Index
95
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
35.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
3.30%
Livability
77
Business
68
Ponca City
#117Oklahoma, 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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