Performance
Score Breakdown
Shenyang
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Shenyang is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
57% lower compared to Ponca City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Shenyang's average rent is
66% lower than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Shenyang | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $271 | $800 | -66% |
| Groceries | $350 | $649 | -46% |
| Utilities | $89 | $208 | -57% |
| Transport | $50 | $186 | -73% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $139 | -28% |
| Monthly Total | $860 | $1,982 | -57% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ponca City offers 46% 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 Shenyang is estimated at
$15,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Shenyang | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $17,510 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $15,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 38,911 idx | 39,402 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Shenyang | 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
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Shenyang.
Shenyang scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Shenyang leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Shenyang | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 80.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 65.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Shenyang is the larger city
— approximately 383x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Shenyang 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 | Shenyang | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,276,000 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 37.1 | |
| Unemployment | 4.62% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Shenyang
Advantages
Shenyang boasts a very affordable cost of living, ranking among the least expensive cities globally.
The city has an extensive and efficient public transportation network, including a metro and tram system, with 100% urban coverage by bus stops.
Shenyang has been consistently recognized as one of China's happiest cities for three consecutive years, including 2024.
The city has a robust industrial foundation with trillion-yuan clusters in advanced manufacturing, robotics, and automotive sectors.
Shenyang is actively enhancing its public service system for foreigners, including international hospitals and schools.
Drawbacks
Winters in Shenyang are known to be long and very cold.
While overall crime rates are low, Numbeo indicates a moderate problem with corruption and bribery.
The city's property market, like the national trend, has faced challenges with declines in investment and transaction volume in recent years.
Specific recent data for certain demographic metrics like median age and unemployment rate for Shenyang are not readily available.
Despite overall safety, isolated incidents of violent crime have been reported, such as a knife-related assault in July 2024.
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.
Shenyang
#1Liaoning, China
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$271
Avg Salary
$17,510
Cost Index
45
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
80.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.62%
Livability
74
Business
68
Ponca City
#102Oklahoma, 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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