Ponca City, OK vs Shawnee, OK

Ponca City is moderately more affordable than Shawnee, with a 6.7% lower cost of living index. Ponca City scores 67 compared to 72 for Shawnee, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Shawnee can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ponca City is $827/month compared to $912/month in Shawnee — a 9% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ponca City is more affordable at $127,500 median vs $147,800.

Median household income in Ponca City is $55,270 compared to $54,281 in Shawnee (+1.8%). Ponca City offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ponca City spend roughly 18% of their income on rent, less than the 20.2% in Shawnee.