Performance
Score Breakdown
Dalian
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dalian is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
59% lower compared to Ponca City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dalian's average rent is
50% lower than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Dalian | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $403 | $800 | -50% |
| Groceries | $239 | $649 | -63% |
| Utilities | $65 | $208 | -69% |
| Transport | $98 | $186 | -47% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $139 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $805 | $1,982 | -59% |
| Cost Index | 25 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ponca City offers 60% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dalian delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dalian is estimated at
$12,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Dalian | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $13,224 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $12,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,896 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $7,548 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Dalian | 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
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Dalian.
Dalian scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dalian leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dalian | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 75.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 70.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 66.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dalian is the larger city
— approximately 309.6x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Dalian 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 | Dalian | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,500,000 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.87% | % |
| Median Age | 40.6 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dalian
Advantages
Robust industrial base in petrochemicals, automotive, shipbuilding, and high-tech sectors, fostering economic growth and job opportunities.
Recognized as a national innovation city and a benchmark for international business environment, attracting foreign investment and fostering a dynamic business climate.
High quality of life with an appealing urban environment, well-developed infrastructure, and consistently good air quality for over 315 days annually.
A vibrant coastal city offering pleasant summers, scenic beaches, diverse cultural experiences, and a range of outdoor activities.
Serves as a crucial international comprehensive transportation hub with a deep-water port and extensive global shipping connections.
Drawbacks
While public transport is strong, traffic congestion can still be a challenge in certain areas, impacting commute times.
Winters are notably cold and windy, requiring substantial warm clothing for outdoor activities.
Air quality, while generally good, can experience periods of moderate to poor pollution.
Limited specific data for certain economic and social metrics (e.g., median household income, job growth rate) from recent years makes detailed analysis challenging.
The reliability of some crowd-sourced data, such as traffic and transportation habits, may be affected by a low number of contributors.
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.
Dalian
#2Liaoning, China
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$403
Avg Salary
$13,224
Cost Index
25
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
75.0/10
Walkability
70.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.87%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
75
Business
70
Ponca City
#123Oklahoma, 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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