Cost of Living in Ponca City, OK

Population 24,377 · Oklahoma · Data vintage 2023

50
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Ponca City a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $128,000. At 6.6%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Geographically, Ponca City is about 70 miles south of Wichita, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 29% lower than Wichita's $180,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 42
Rent 63

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Ponca City

The median home value in Ponca City is $127,500 — 58% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $827/month, 37% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $55,270/year is 26% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.6%, above the national average of 4.8%. Oklahoma's top state income tax rate is 4.8% and the combined sales tax is 9.0%. The climate averages highs of 70.8°F and lows of 47.9°F. Overall, Ponca City has a cost of living index of 50 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 50% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$127,500
58% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$130,162
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$827/mo
37% below avg
Zillow Rent
$784/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.8x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$678
1 BR
$728
2 BR
$910
3 BR
$1,220
4 BR
$1,439
Owner-occupied 62.3%
Renter-occupied 37.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$827
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,441/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
16.8 min
38% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
3.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.3%
Carpooled
13.9%
Walked
1.7%
Work from home
3.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 4.8%
Total Sales Tax 9.0%
State rate 4.5%
Avg local rate 4.5%
Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$55,270
26% below avg
Per Capita Income
$30,902
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
38% above avg
Poverty Rate
16.7%
Labor Force Participation
60.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 13.9%
Graduate degree 6.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.2
Male median age 36.3
Female median age 37.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
70.8°F
Avg Low
47.9°F
Annual Precip
33.6"
20° 40° 60° 80° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 475262717988939284736049
Low °F 252837465767717061483627
Precip" 1.021.102.173.785.104.703.703.282.743.061.651.27

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 49 — Good
51.3%
Good air days/yr
122
Max AQI recorded
335
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
13
Public schools
5,188
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Ponca City, OK?

Ponca City has a cost index of 50 (100 = national average). It is 50% below the national average.

What is average rent in Ponca City, OK?

The median gross rent in Ponca City is $827 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Ponca City?

The median home value in Ponca City is $127,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Ponca City?

The median household income in Ponca City is $55,270 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Ponca City, OK?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Ponca City is 9.0%. The Oklahoma state income tax top rate is 4.8%.

Is Ponca City, OK affordable?

Yes, Ponca City is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 50 — about 50% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Ponca City?

Ponca City has average high temperatures of 70.8°F and average lows of 47.9°F. Annual precipitation is 33.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Ponca City at a Glance

Population
24,377
Median Income
$55,270
Home Value
$127,500
Median Rent
$827/mo
Unemployment
6.6%
Avg High Temp
70.8°F
Sales Tax
9.0%
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