Performance
Score Breakdown
Derry
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
47% higher compared to Derry.
Housing costs are a major driver: Derry's average rent is
196% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Derry | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,366 | $800 | +196% |
| Groceries | $339 | $649 | -48% |
| Utilities | $0 | $208 | -100% |
| Transport | $200 | $186 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $139 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,905 | $1,982 | +47% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Derry offers 120% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Derry delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Derry is estimated at
$62,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Derry | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,286 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $108,944 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Derry | 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
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Derry.
Derry scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ponca City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Derry | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 28.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Derry is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Derry is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Derry has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Derry | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,389 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | % |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Derry
Advantages
Low crime rate, with overall crime 49% below the national average and violent crime 57% lower [14].
Strategic location offering convenient access to Boston and Manchester, with major highways nearby [28, 44].
No state income tax, contributing to potential savings for residents [30].
Rich historical heritage, including being the birthplace of astronaut Alan Shepard and home to poet Robert Frost [4, 31, 32, 38].
Access to natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, including parks and trails [30].
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transportation options [7, 28].
Cost of living is 12% higher than the national average, driven by housing costs [16].
Housing prices are above the national average, with a median sold price of $450,000 as of August 2026 [17].
Experiences harsh winters with significant snowfall [30].
Recent employment data shows a slight decline, though the unemployment rate remains low [3].
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.
Derry
#16New Hampshire, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,366
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
28.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
78
Business
70
Ponca City
#124Oklahoma, 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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