Performance
Score Breakdown
Montreal
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
0% higher compared to Montreal.
Housing costs are a major driver: Montreal's average rent is
69% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Montreal | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,351 | $800 | +69% |
| Groceries | $356 | $649 | -45% |
| Utilities | $107 | $208 | -49% |
| Transport | $100 | $186 | -46% |
| Healthcare | $71 | $139 | -49% |
| Monthly Total | $1,985 | $1,982 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 63 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Montreal offers 64% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Montreal delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Montreal is estimated at
$42,780 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Montreal | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,475 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $42,780 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 84,881 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $45,335 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Montreal | 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 Montreal.
Montreal scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Montreal leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Montreal | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 77.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 87.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 39.78 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Montreal is the larger city
— approximately 80.3x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Montreal 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 | Montreal | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,945,359 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 5.30% | % |
| Median Age | 40.6 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Montreal
Advantages
Montreal boasts a vibrant cultural scene with numerous festivals and events year-round, including the Just For Laughs Festival and the Montreal Fireworks Festival.
The city is highly walkable (Walk Score 87) and offers excellent public transportation (Transit Score 77), reducing the need for a car.
Montreal is North America's most bike-friendly city, with over 1,065 kilometers of bike lanes and paths.
The cost of living in Montreal is generally more affordable than in other major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver.
Montreal's economy is diverse and resilient, with strong growth in sectors like aerospace, information technology, and digital media.
Drawbacks
Crimes against persons and hate crimes increased in Montreal in 2024.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, with Montreal ranking among the most congested cities globally.
While overall rent is more affordable than some major cities, average rent prices have been consistently increasing.
The unemployment rate, while showing recent declines, climbed to 7.8% in 2024 before improving to 6.8% by December 2025.
The average commute time in Montreal is 29 minutes, which is among the highest in Canadian metro areas.
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.
Montreal
#5Quebec, Canada
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,351
Avg Salary
$53,475
Cost Index
63
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
77.0/10
Walkability
87.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
5.30%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
85
Business
75
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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