Performance
Score Breakdown
Nogales
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nogales is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
70% lower compared to Ponca City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Nogales's average rent is
100% lower than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Nogales | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $800 | -100% |
| Groceries | $351 | $649 | -46% |
| Utilities | $100 | $208 | -52% |
| Transport | $110 | $186 | -41% |
| Healthcare | $32 | $139 | -77% |
| Monthly Total | $593 | $1,982 | -70% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ponca City offers 58% 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 Nogales is estimated at
$15,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Nogales | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $13,631 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $15,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 30,291 idx | 39,402 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Nogales | 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
Nogales has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Ponca City.
Ponca City 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 | Nogales | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Nogales is the larger city
— approximately 12.2x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Nogales is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Nogales has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Nogales | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 295,484 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.08% | % |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Nogales
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living compared to the United States.
Strong economic activity driven by manufacturing and international trade.
Affordable and accessible healthcare services, attracting medical tourism.
Vibrant cultural scene influenced by its unique border location.
Perception of insecurity has been decreasing in recent years.
Drawbacks
Overall safety risk is considered high by some travel advisories due to regional crime.
Higher risks for personal safety, especially when walking alone at night.
Concerns regarding petty theft and vehicle theft.
Limited public transit infrastructure and walkability scores are not widely available.
Specific data for certain economic and demographic metrics are not consistently updated or available for the city.
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.
Nogales
#10Sonora, Mexico
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$13,631
Cost Index
45
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.08%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
62
Business
70
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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