OklahomaPop. 24,326Towns
Is Ponca City a Good Place to Live? Ponca City, Oklahoma: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Ponca City ranks #1079 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #191 of 234 towns and #15 of 20 in Oklahoma. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low living costs (83.6, #2 of 230) and affordable homes ($135,800, #18 of 231), and trails on high violent crime (500 per 100,000, #126 of 146) and low household income ($55,941, #191 of 234).
Ponca City by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Ponca City's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
What is the cost of living in Ponca City?
Ponca City's cost of living index is 83.6, 16% below the US level of 100 and #7 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $850/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $138,580, 38% below the typical Oklahoma home ($223,261).
| Measure | Ponca City | OklahomaOK | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 94.3 · US 100 | 83.6#7 of 1,308 | 87.8 | 94.3 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $325,401 · US $368,697 | $138,580#27 of 1,187 | $223,261 | $325,401 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rentZillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,583/mo · US $1,948/mo | $720/mo#1 of 1,115 | — | $1,583/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $280,200 | $135,800#59 of 1,309 | — | $280,200 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,138/mo | $850/mo#50 of 1,309 | — | $1,138/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7x | 2.4x#27 of 1,309 | — | 3.7x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 19.3% | 18.2%#268 of 1,309 | — | 19.3% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Oklahoma is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Ponca City housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Ponca City is in the Ponca City, OK metro.
Oklahoma housing market →Is Ponca City safe?
Ponca City recorded 500 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 52% above the US rate of 328 and 23% above Oklahoma's 408. That ranks #844 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #126 of 146 towns, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Ponca City Police Department. Property crime runs 1,678 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
| Measure | Ponca City | OklahomaOK | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 220 · US 328 | 500#844 of 1,085 | 408 | 220 | 328 |
| Property crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 1,379 · US 1,548 | 1,678#567 of 1,085 | 1,814 | 1,379 | 1,548 |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Oklahoma is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. City rates come from each police agency's report to the FBI and are not strictly comparable across agencies.
What do people earn in Ponca City?
The median household in Ponca City earns $55,941, 33% below the US figure of $83,163 and 15% below Oklahoma ($66,148). Unemployment is 3.6% (US 4.3%). 17.9% of residents live below the poverty line. The population fell 0.5% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
| Measure | Ponca City | OklahomaOK | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $73,239 · US $83,163 | $55,941#1129 of 1,312 | $66,148 | $73,239 | $83,163 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.3% · US 4.3% | 3.6%#297 of 1,058 | 3.4% | 3.3% | 4.3% |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.4% | 17.9%#1032 of 1,312 | — | 11.4% | — |
| Population growth, one yearCensus population estimates · rank 1 = fastestSimilar-size 0% · US +0.5% | -0.5%#952 of 1,132 | +0.6% | 0% | +0.5% |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Oklahoma is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Ponca City?
The median resident of Ponca City is 37.1 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 20.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #1154 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 62.5% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Ponca City | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 38.6 | 37.1 | 38.6 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 29.2% | 20.6%#1154 of 1,312 | 29.2% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 65.1% | 62.5% | 65.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Ponca City's schools and health?
Ponca City's 11 public schools graduate 82% of students in four years (Oklahoma 80%), with 17.8 students per teacher and $10,667 spent per pupil. 42.8% of adults are obese and 14% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 34.5% and 10.7%.
| Measure | Ponca City | OklahomaOK | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 87% | 82%#809 of 1,063 | 80% | 87% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 14.1 | 17.8#816 of 1,188 | — | 14.1 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $14,825 | $10,667#1100 of 1,188 | — | $14,825 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 34.5% | 42.8%#1238 of 1,311 | — | 34.5% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.7% | 14%#1077 of 1,311 | — | 10.7% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.8% | 18.8%#1010 of 1,311 | — | 16.8% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 8.6% | 11.7%#847 of 1,311 | — | 8.6% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Oklahoma is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 4,580 students are enrolled in Ponca City's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Ponca City?
The average commute in Ponca City is 15.7 minutes (Oklahoma 22.7); 0% of workers take transit and 3.4% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Ponca City scores 7.8 of 20 (below average walkable), #1105 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 80.3°F and winters 38°F, with 33.6 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Ponca City | OklahomaOK | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 20.4 min | 15.7 min#86 of 1,312 | 22.7 min | 20.4 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.8% | 3.2%#228 of 1,312 | 5.1% | 4.8% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75% | 78.5% | 76.8% | 75% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.3% | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 2% | 1.2% | 1.8% | 2% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0% | 0% | 0.2% | 0% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 9.5% | 3.4% | 8.9% | 9.5% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 7.8#1105 of 1,312 | — | 8.8 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Oklahoma is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47.2 | 24.6 | 1 |
| Feb | 52 | 28.2 | 1.1 |
| Mar | 61.7 | 37.3 | 2.2 |
| Apr | 70.6 | 46.4 | 3.8 |
| May | 79 | 57.2 | 5.1 |
| Jun | 88.3 | 67 | 4.7 |
| Jul | 93.3 | 71.4 | 3.7 |
| Aug | 92.1 | 69.7 | 3.3 |
| Sep | 84.3 | 61.1 | 2.7 |
| Oct | 72.5 | 48.4 | 3.1 |
| Nov | 59.8 | 36.4 | 1.7 |
| Dec | 48.9 | 27.4 | 1.3 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Ponca City Muni Airport.
| Measure | Ponca City | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 47.7°F | 59.4°F | 47.7°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 69.6°F | 80.3°F | 69.6°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 26.8°F | 38°F | 26.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.5 in | 33.6 in | 36.5 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Ponca City Muni Airport.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Ponca City?
Kay County's air had a median air quality index of 37, and 71% of measured days were rated good; 2 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Kay County's biggest natural hazard losses in tornado, ice storm, and hail, with expected yearly losses of 0.18% of building value, higher than 66% of US counties.
| Measure | Ponca City | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 38 | 37#190 of 1,138 | 38 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 1 | 2#481 of 1,138 | 1 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.14% | 0.18%#844 of 1,312 | 0.14% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Kay County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Kay County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Tornado | 0.028% | 96% of counties |
| Ice storm | 0.014% | 95% of counties |
| Hail | 0.017% | 93% of counties |
| Wildfire | 0.0093% | 84% of counties |
| Strong wind | 0.0036% | 66% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.087% | 57% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.0021% | 42% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Ponca City compare with similar-size cities?
Ponca City is one of 234 places under 25,000 people we track and ranks #191 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 24,326.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ponca City, OKPop. 24,326 | #1079 | 48.4 | $55,941 | $850/mo | 500 | 15.7 min |
| Middletown, DEPop. 24,661 | #198 | 64.5 | $112,831 | $1,583/mo | 186 | 30 min |
| Auburn, MEPop. 24,602 | #586 | 56.9 | $66,647 | $1,041/mo | 232 | 21.7 min |
| Ridgeland, MSPop. 24,587 | #844 | 52.6 | $66,038 | $1,336/mo | 320 | 21.1 min |
| Mandan, NDPop. 24,522 | #811 | 53.2 | $71,780 | $1,083/mo | 257 | 17.6 min |
| Columbus, NEPop. 24,488 | #487 | 58.3 | $64,626 | $892/mo | 87 | 15.1 min |
| Fernley, NVPop. 24,225 | #970 | 50.6 | $89,517 | $1,570/mo | no data | 27.9 min |
| Emporia, KSPop. 24,131 | #777 | 53.7 | $52,704 | $815/mo | 266 | 12.3 min |
| Brookings, SDPop. 23,948 | #587 | 56.9 | $63,493 | $889/mo | 113 | 12.5 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Ponca City compare with the rest of Oklahoma?
Ponca City ranks #15 of the 20 Oklahoma cities we track, with a score of 48.4 against Oklahoma's statewide 43. Its households earn 15% below the Oklahoma median. Violent crime is 23% above the statewide rate. Homes are 38% below the typical Oklahoma home.
| City | Rank in OK | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bixby, OKPop. 30,155 | #1 | 66.9 | $104,404 | $1,393/mo | 80 |
| Jenks, OKPop. 27,102 | #2 | 64.9 | $111,004 | $1,602/mo | 99 |
| Edmond, OKPop. 96,825 | #3 | 63.7 | $103,183 | $1,344/mo | 139 |
| Owasso, OKPop. 40,151 | #4 | 60.8 | $79,036 | $1,270/mo | 123 |
| Broken Arrow, OKPop. 118,180 | #5 | 60.5 | $86,765 | $1,320/mo | 198 |
| Yukon, OKPop. 25,529 | #6 | 58.0 | $75,273 | $1,274/mo | 293 |
| Moore, OKPop. 63,420 | #7 | 56.6 | $80,420 | $1,340/mo | 230 |
| Norman, OKPop. 129,672 | #8 | 55.3 | $67,704 | $1,090/mo | 243 |
| Stillwater, OKPop. 49,269 | #9 | 53.3 | $43,700 | $947/mo | 202 |
| Oklahoma City, OKPop. 697,125 | #10 | 51.1 | $68,656 | $1,130/mo | 681 |
| Midwest City, OKPop. 58,297 | #11 | 51.1 | $57,520 | $1,091/mo | 345 |
| Bartlesville, OKPop. 37,878 | #12 | 50.1 | $58,869 | $916/mo | 352 |
| Enid, OKPop. 50,653 | #13 | 49.8 | $62,125 | $914/mo | 572 |
| Shawnee, OKPop. 31,671 | #14 | 49.1 | $55,815 | $936/mo | 483 |
| Ponca City, OKPop. 24,326 | #15 | 48.4 | $55,941 | $850/mo | 500 |
| Tulsa, OKPop. 413,794 | #16 | 47.3 | $59,838 | $1,052/mo | 833 |
| Duncan, OKPop. 22,958 | #17 | 45.5 | $58,054 | $896/mo | 356 |
| Ardmore, OKPop. 24,877 | #18 | 44.0 | $53,900 | $1,006/mo | 1,050 |
| Lawton, OKPop. 90,595 | #19 | 42.7 | $54,433 | $967/mo | 769 |
| Muskogee, OKPop. 36,758 | #20 | 39.6 | $50,213 | $858/mo | 846 |
All 20 Oklahoma cities we track, by overall score. Oklahoma statewide: median income $66,148, violent crime 407.7 per 100,000.
How is Ponca City's score calculated?
Ponca City scores 48.4 out of 100, #1079 of 1,312 (grade D, which follows rank). It is scored on the 10 of 11 categories with local data; outdoor access is left out rather than filled with Oklahoma's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data · 16% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Ponca City. Similar-size median 41.9.
46.8 - SafetyCity data · 13% of score
Violent and property crime per 100,000 residents, as reported to the FBI by Ponca City's police agency. Similar-size median 81.4.
63.0 - HealthCity data · 13% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Ponca City. Similar-size median 56.5.
34.0 - EducationCity data · 13% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Ponca City's public schools. Similar-size median 62.6.
41.7 - AffordabilityCity data · 11% of score
Ponca City's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 74.8.
91.3 - Household financesCity data · 9% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Ponca City. Similar-size median 50.8.
31.5 - GrowthCity data · 7% of score
Population growth and unemployment in Ponca City. Similar-size median 35.2.
37.6 - TransportationCity data · 7% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Ponca City. Similar-size median 48.3.
43.6 - WalkabilityCity data · 7% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Ponca City's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
35.8 - EnvironmentCounty data · 4% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 59.2.
50.0 - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Ponca City's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 234 places under 25,000 people we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Ponca City has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Ponca City
Is Ponca City, OK a good place to live?
Ponca City ranks #1079 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #191 of 234 towns and #15 of 20 in Oklahoma. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low living costs (83.6, #2 of 230) and affordable homes ($135,800, #18 of 231), and trails on high violent crime (500 per 100,000, #126 of 146) and low household income ($55,941, #191 of 234).
What is the cost of living in Ponca City?
Ponca City's cost of living index is 83.6, 16% below the US level of 100 and #7 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $850/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $138,580, 38% below the typical Oklahoma home ($223,261).
What is the crime rate in Ponca City?
Ponca City recorded 500 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 52% above the US rate of 328 and 23% above Oklahoma's 408. That ranks #844 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #126 of 146 towns, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Ponca City Police Department. Property crime runs 1,678 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
What is the median household income in Ponca City?
The median household in Ponca City earns $55,941, 33% below the US figure of $83,163 and 15% below Oklahoma ($66,148). Unemployment is 3.6% (US 4.3%). 17.9% of residents live below the poverty line. The population fell 0.5% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
How much is rent in Ponca City?
Median rent in Ponca City is $850/mo (Census), #50 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). The typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $720/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 18.2% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Ponca City?
The typical home value in Ponca City is $138,580, up 6.2% in a year, against $223,261 for Oklahoma and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $135,800.
How are the public schools in Ponca City?
Ponca City's 11 public schools graduate 82% of students in four years (Oklahoma 80%), with 17.8 students per teacher and $10,667 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Ponca City?
The average commute is 15.7 minutes, #86 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 22.7 minutes across Oklahoma. 3.2% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Ponca City?
Ponca City averages 59.4°F over the year, 80.3°F in summer and 38°F in winter, with 33.6 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Ponca City walkable?
Ponca City scores 7.8 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #1105 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Ponca City at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Kay County's biggest natural hazard losses in tornado, ice storm, and hail, with expected yearly losses of 0.18% of building value, higher than 66% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Ponca City?
Kay County's air had a median air quality index of 37, and 71% of measured days were rated good; 2 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles.
Who lives in Ponca City?
Ponca City has 24,326 residents. The median resident of Ponca City is 37.1 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 20.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #1154 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 62.5% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Ponca City compare with the rest of Oklahoma?
Ponca City ranks #15 of the 20 Oklahoma cities we track, with a score of 48.4 against Oklahoma's statewide 43. Its households earn 15% below the Oklahoma median. Violent crime is 23% above the statewide rate. Homes are 38% below the typical Oklahoma home.
What cities are similar in size to Ponca City?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Ponca City's population of 24,326 are Middletown, DE (#198 overall), Auburn, ME (#586 overall), Ridgeland, MS (#844 overall), Mandan, ND (#811 overall), and Columbus, NE (#487 overall). Ponca City is #1079.