Performance
Score Breakdown
Bossier City
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
9% higher compared to Bossier City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bossier City's average rent is
21% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Bossier City | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $964 | $800 | +21% |
| Groceries | $674 | $649 | +4% |
| Utilities | $385 | $208 | +85% |
| Transport | $0 | $186 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $140 | $139 | +1% |
| Monthly Total | $2,163 | $1,982 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bossier City offers 30% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bossier City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bossier City is estimated at
$67,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Bossier City | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $42,372 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $67,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 45,077 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $55,819 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bossier City | 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
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Bossier City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bossier City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bossier City | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 31.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bossier City is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Bossier City 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 | Bossier City | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 62,901 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $7.7B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bossier City
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Bossier City is approximately 5.8% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $964 per month as of July 2026, significantly below the national average.
The city experienced a healthy job growth rate of 3.3% from 2023 to 2024.
The average commute time for residents is a relatively short 18 minutes.
Bossier City has a strong military presence, contributing to a stable economic sector and community diversity.
Drawbacks
Bossier City has a high crime rate, ranking among the top 100 most dangerous cities in the U.S.A.
The city is largely car-dependent, with a low walkability score of 31, meaning most errands require a car.
Summers are characterized as oppressive, hot, and uncomfortably humid.
The city's population is projected to have a negative growth rate from 2024 to 2026.
Utility costs are approximately 4.0% higher than the national average.
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.
Bossier City
#65Louisiana, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$964
Avg Salary
$42,372
Cost Index
94
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
31.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
65
Business
70
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
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