Performance
Score Breakdown
Indianapolis
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 Indianapolis.
Housing costs are a major driver: Indianapolis's average rent is
40% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Indianapolis | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,123 | $800 | +40% |
| Groceries | $450 | $649 | -31% |
| Utilities | $327 | $208 | +57% |
| Transport | $120 | $186 | -35% |
| Healthcare | $900 | $139 | +547% |
| Monthly Total | $2,920 | $1,982 | +47% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Indianapolis offers 132% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Indianapolis delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Indianapolis is estimated at
$55,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Indianapolis | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 84,444 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $66,219 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Indianapolis | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 73.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Indianapolis.
Ponca City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Indianapolis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Indianapolis | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 31.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 29.36 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Indianapolis is the larger city
— approximately 37.6x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Indianapolis is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Indianapolis | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 910,638 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.33% | % |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Indianapolis
Advantages
The cost of living in Indianapolis is approximately 10.3% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable city.
Indianapolis boasts a diverse and growing job market, particularly in Healthcare & Life Sciences, Logistics, and Advanced Manufacturing.
The average commute time in Central Indiana is relatively short at 24.6 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance.
The city has a thriving sports and hospitality sector, attracting major events and offering numerous entertainment options.
Housing inventory is increasing, providing more options for buyers, and median home prices remain competitive.
Drawbacks
Indianapolis has a higher crime rate compared to many U.S. cities, with a BaseScore of 44/100 and a safety index indicating it's safer than only 3% of American cities.
The city is largely car-dependent, with limited walkability and public transit options outside of the downtown core.
The average salary in Indianapolis, at $76,000 annually, is lower than the national average.
Rental prices have experienced rapid growth in recent years, impacting affordability for some residents.
Traffic congestion is increasing, leading to more time lost in traffic for commuters.
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.
Indianapolis
#92Indiana, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,123
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
31.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.33%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
74
Business
70
Ponca City
#128Oklahoma, 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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