Performance
Score Breakdown
Lincoln
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
546% higher compared to Lincoln.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lincoln's average rent is
70% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Lincoln | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,363 | $800 | +70% |
| Groceries | $400 | $649 | -38% |
| Utilities | $260 | $208 | +25% |
| Transport | $1,200 | $186 | +545% |
| Healthcare | $9,572 | $139 | +6786% |
| Monthly Total | $12,795 | $1,982 | +546% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lincoln offers 120% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lincoln delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lincoln is estimated at
$52,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Lincoln | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,867 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 76,454 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $71,867 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Lincoln | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Lincoln scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lincoln leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lincoln | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lincoln is the larger city
— approximately 12.5x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Lincoln is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lincoln | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,375 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.61% | % |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 2.60% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $150.9B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lincoln
Advantages
Lincoln's cost of living is approximately 6% lower than the national average, driven by more affordable housing and utilities.
The city boasts a low unemployment rate of 2.6% as of May 2026, significantly lower than the national average.
Lincoln has a shorter average commute time of 19.5 minutes, saving residents time compared to the national average.
The city is recognized for its exceptional public safety, with Part 1 crime reaching a 25-year low in 2025.
Over 40% of adults in Lincoln have a bachelor's degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Drawbacks
While overall cost of living is lower, healthcare costs in Lincoln are about 3% higher than the U.S. average.
Lincoln's employment and wage growth rates have been nearly identical to Omaha's, which have been slower than comparable cities.
Public transportation options, while affordable, have a limited reach around the city.
The state of Nebraska, including Lincoln, has experienced low population and labor force growth due to people relocating to other states.
Some goods and services in Lincoln are approximately 4% pricier 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.
Lincoln
#21Nebraska, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,363
Avg Salary
$71,867
Cost Index
94
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.61%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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