Performance
Score Breakdown
Zhaotong
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Zhaotong is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
59% lower compared to Ponca City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Zhaotong's average rent is
66% lower than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Zhaotong | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $273 | $800 | -66% |
| Groceries | $300 | $649 | -54% |
| Utilities | $80 | $208 | -62% |
| Transport | $50 | $186 | -73% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $139 | -28% |
| Monthly Total | $803 | $1,982 | -59% |
| Cost Index | 32 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ponca City offers 66% 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 Zhaotong is estimated at
$9,636 vs $52,000 in Ponca City.
| Metric | Zhaotong | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $11,172 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $9,636 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 34,913 idx | 39,402 idx |
| Household Income | $15,000 | $55,941 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Zhaotong | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ponca City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Zhaotong.
Zhaotong scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Zhaotong leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Zhaotong | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 60.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 65.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Zhaotong is the larger city
— approximately 16.1x the population of Ponca City.
From a growth perspective, Zhaotong 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 | Zhaotong | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,000 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.09% | % |
| Median Age | 37.1 | |
| Unemployment | 5.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Zhaotong
Advantages
Very low cost of living, with average monthly expenses for an individual around $618.
Affordable rental market, with a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costing approximately $273 per month.
Rich agricultural sector, being China's largest high-quality apple production base in the south.
Extensive public bus network providing affordable city transit.
Generally safe environment for residents and travelers.
Drawbacks
Average salaries are significantly lower than national urban averages, with a median after-tax monthly salary of $931.
Lack of a metro or tram system, relying solely on buses for public transit.
Traffic congestion can be heavy on busy main roads.
Limited specific city-level data for various economic and demographic metrics, indicating less developed data infrastructure.
No direct data available for median age, making demographic analysis less complete.
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.
Zhaotong
#13Yunnan, China
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$273
Avg Salary
$11,172
Cost Index
32
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
60.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.09%
Unemployment
5.50%
Livability
70
Business
60
Ponca City
#124Oklahoma, 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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