City Comparison
Aberdeen vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Aiken scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Aberdeen
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aberdeen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% lower compared to Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aberdeen's average rent is
11% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,400 | -11% |
| Groceries | $388 | $400 | -3% |
| Utilities | $288 | $236 | +22% |
| Transport | $80 | $120 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $305 | $250 | +22% |
| Monthly Total | $2,311 | $2,406 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 41% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Aiken delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Aberdeen is estimated at
$50,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $38,861 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,391 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $64,405 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aberdeen has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Aiken scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aiken leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 11 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aiken is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Aberdeen.
From a growth perspective, Aiken is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aberdeen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,376 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.97% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 1.70% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aberdeen
Advantages
Aberdeen boasts a significantly low unemployment rate of 1.7% in 2026, well below the national average, indicating a robust job market.
The cost of living in Aberdeen is 18% less expensive than the national average, particularly in housing, making it highly affordable.
Residents enjoy a remarkably short average commute time of 11 minutes, significantly reducing daily travel stress.
Aberdeen serves as a regional healthcare hub with three hospitals and a wide range of medical specialties, ensuring quality healthcare access.
The city has a high livability score of 80 out of 100, reflecting a good quality of life with ample amenities and a strong community feel.
Drawbacks
Crime data for Aberdeen is conflicting, with some sources indicating a higher violent crime rate than the average U.S. city and a lower safety percentile.
Public transportation options are limited to a demand-response bus service, with very low utilization among workers, leading to high car dependency.
Aberdeen experiences very cold, snowy, and windy winters with average low temperatures reaching 6°F in January.
Despite some positive projections, population growth rates are inconsistent across sources, with some indicating stagnation or decline in recent years.
The average rent in Aberdeen has seen a significant increase of 52.9% in the past year, potentially impacting affordability for new renters.
Aiken
Advantages
The cost of living in Aiken is approximately 11% lower than the national average.
Aiken boasts a higher homeownership rate of 68.1% as of 2024.
The city offers a mild climate with ample opportunities for outdoor activities and a vibrant downtown.
Aiken County's unemployment rate of 3.4% in April 2026 is lower than the national average.
The average commute time of 24 minutes is considered manageable.
Drawbacks
Aiken's transportation system is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options.
The city's safety index of 30 suggests a higher crime rate compared to national benchmarks.
Aiken County's poverty rate of 14.3% is higher than the national average of 12.5%.
While the downtown is walkable, the city overall has a lower walkability score due to car dependency.
Some utility costs are reported to be slightly higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Aberdeen
#96South Dakota, USA
55.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$38,861
Cost Index
82
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.97%
Unemployment
1.70%
Livability
80
Business
65
Aiken
#77South Carolina, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$65,884
Cost Index
89
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Aberdeen and Aiken.
Open Cost Calculator