Performance
Score Breakdown
Macau
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1% higher compared to Macau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Macau's average rent is
40% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Macau | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,117 | $800 | +40% |
| Groceries | $425 | $649 | -35% |
| Utilities | $180 | $208 | -13% |
| Transport | $24 | $186 | -87% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $139 | +80% |
| Monthly Total | $1,996 | $1,982 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 100 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ponca City offers 18% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Ponca City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Macau is estimated at
$35,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Macau | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $26,796 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 26,796 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $58,835 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Macau | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Macau.
Macau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Macau leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Macau | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Macau is the larger city
— approximately 29.9x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Macau is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Macau has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Macau | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 723,188 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.16% | % |
| Median Age | 40.3 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 1.60% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Macau
Advantages
Macau has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, reaching 83.5 years in 2025.
The city boasts a strong economy with a high GDP per capita, driven by its prominent tourism and gaming industries.
Macau maintains a generally safe environment with low crime rates, contributing to a high quality of life.
The median monthly employment earnings in Macau were MOP 18,000 (approximately $2,233 USD) as of 2024, indicating a competitive salary landscape.
Residential rents in Macau saw a year-on-year increase in 2024, marking the first rise since 2019, indicating a strengthening rental market.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Macau is very high, with a single person estimated to cost $4125 per month.
Housing costs are a significant burden, with average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center at $1,069.
Macau is the second most densely populated region in the world, leading to space constraints.
The median age in Macau is 40.3 years, indicating a rapidly aging population.
While the economy is strong, there is an uneven distribution of wealth between gaming/financial and service workers.
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.
Macau
#1Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,117
Avg Salary
$26,796
Cost Index
100
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.16%
Unemployment
1.60%
Livability
74
Business
68
Ponca City
#122Oklahoma, 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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