Is Ponca City or Tulsa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ponca City is safer than Tulsa (Safety Score 18/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,080 per 100,000 versus 4,571 for Tulsa — 33% lower. Ponca City has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Ponca City has a 58% lower rate.
Note: Tulsa is 16.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ponca City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tulsa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ponca City, OK
Tulsa, OK
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ponca City | Tulsa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,080.0 | 4,570.7 | -1,490.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 576.5 | 942.9 | -366.5 |
| Murder Rate | 8.2 | 9.5 | -1.2 |
| Rape Rate | 86.5 | 105.8 | -19.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 41.2 | 98.7 | -57.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 440.6 | 728.0 | -287.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,503.5 | 3,627.8 | -1,124.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 584.7 | 747.2 | -162.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,626.5 | 2,397.9 | -771.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 292.4 | 482.7 | -190.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ponca City or Tulsa safer?
Ponca City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,080 per 100K vs 4,571 for Tulsa — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ponca City has a violent crime rate of 576.5 per 100K while Tulsa has 942.9. Ponca City has lower violent crime.
About Ponca City, OK
Ponca City, a northern Oklahoma community, was founded during the Cherokee Outlet Land Run. It boasts a diverse population of around 24,000, situated along the Arkansas River. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 24,286, Ponca City has a total crime rate of 3,080.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Tulsa, OK
Tulsa, a city in northeast Oklahoma' along the Arkansas River, boasts a rich art deco architectural heritage. It's the second-largest city in the state, with a diverse population and a significant Native American presence. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 411,274, Tulsa has a total crime rate of 4,570.7 per 100,000 residents.