Performance
Score Breakdown
Aiken
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Des Moines is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
16% higher compared to Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aiken's average rent is
20% higher than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Aiken | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,400 | $1,162 | +20% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $236 | $180 | +31% |
| Transport | $120 | $90 | +33% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,406 | $2,082 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 1% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Des Moines delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Aiken is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Aiken | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,884 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,027 idx | 80,247 idx |
| Household Income | $76,746 | $47,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aiken | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Des Moines has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 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 | Aiken | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 17.90 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Aiken is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aiken has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Aiken | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,306 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | % |
| Median Age | 46.6 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Des Moines
Advantages
The Des Moines metropolitan area is experiencing population growth, with an estimated 573,000 residents in 2025, a 1.24% increase from the previous year.
The cost of living in Des Moines is generally lower than the U.S. average.
The average commute time in West Des Moines is just 18 minutes, indicating efficient transportation.
The housing market saw a 0.9% increase in home prices over the three months ending May 2026, with a median price of $217,000.
Des Moines is a major business hub with growing job markets in insurance, finance, and healthcare.
Drawbacks
The city proper of Des Moines has experienced a population decline of approximately -0.55% annually since 2020.
Healthcare costs in Des Moines are higher than the national average.
Summers in Des Moines are hot and humid, with muggy conditions increasing throughout the season.
The median household income in Des Moines ($47,000) is lower than the Iowa state average ($52,000).
The Des Moines housing market, while showing recent price increases, experienced a slight decline in median sale prices in 2024.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Aiken
#14South Carolina, USA
70.0 / 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
Des Moines
#9Iowa, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,162
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
81
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
75
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