Performance
Score Breakdown
St. Louis
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ponca City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
21% higher compared to St. Louis.
Housing costs are a major driver: St. Louis's average rent is
80% higher than Ponca City's.
| Metric | St. Louis | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,439 | $800 | +80% |
| Groceries | $385 | $649 | -41% |
| Utilities | $195 | $208 | -6% |
| Transport | $120 | $186 | -35% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $139 | +80% |
| Monthly Total | $2,389 | $1,982 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
St. Louis offers 38% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, St. Louis delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in St. Louis is estimated at
$55,000 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | St. Louis | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,562 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $56,160 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | St. Louis | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to St. Louis.
St. Louis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, St. Louis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | St. Louis | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
St. Louis is the larger city
— approximately 11.3x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, St. Louis is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | St. Louis | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 273,179 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
St. Louis
Advantages
The average rent in St. Louis is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to live.
Housing costs, including median home prices, are considerably below the national average.
St. Louis offers numerous free cultural attractions, such as the Saint Louis Zoo, Art Museum, and Gateway Arch grounds.
The city has a strong presence of major academic health systems and a well-established medical corridor, contributing to quality healthcare.
Investments are being made in improving bike infrastructure, including new protected bike lanes and greenways.
Drawbacks
St. Louis city has experienced a declining population, with an estimated annual decrease of -1.79% in 2026.
The city has a high crime rate, particularly violent crime, which is significantly above the national average.
Summers in St. Louis are characterized by intense heat and high humidity.
A high percentage of city residents (21.7%) live below the poverty line, indicating significant economic disparities.
St. Louis exhibits high car dependency, with nearly 90% of commuters using a car for work or school.
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.
St. Louis
#90Missouri, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,439
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
60
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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