Performance
Score Breakdown
Aiken
Smyrna
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
9% lower compared to Smyrna.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aiken's average rent is
20% lower than Smyrna's.
| Metric | Aiken | Smyrna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,400 | $1,750 | -20% |
| Groceries | $400 | $420 | -5% |
| Utilities | $236 | $190 | +24% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,406 | $2,630 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 25% higher 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 Aiken is estimated at
$55,000 vs $57,912 in Smyrna.
| Metric | Aiken | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,884 | $52,722 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $57,912 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,027 idx | 53,255 idx |
| Household Income | $76,746 | $67,048 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aiken | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aiken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Smyrna.
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 | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 33 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aiken is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Smyrna.
From a growth perspective, Smyrna 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 | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,306 | 13,936 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 2.90% |
| Median Age | 46.6 | 34.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.60% |
| 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.
Smyrna
Advantages
Smyrna is one of the fastest-growing communities in Delaware, indicating strong development and opportunity.
The cost of living in Smyrna is generally lower than the national average, particularly for housing.
The town boasts a quality school district, making it attractive for families.
Smyrna's strategic location provides convenient access to larger job markets in Dover and Wilmington.
The town offers a strong community-focused lifestyle with a walkable downtown and local events.
Drawbacks
Smyrna has a higher crime rate compared to both national and statewide averages, with a worsening crime trajectory.
The town exhibits high car dependency due to a Walk Score of 0.
The average commute time of 33.4 minutes is higher than the national average.
Public transportation options, while available, may have limited frequency and coverage.
Despite growth, the town itself has limited economic opportunities, requiring commutes for many jobs.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Aiken
#49South 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
Smyrna
#64Delaware, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$52,722
Cost Index
99
Commute
33 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.90%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
68
Business
72
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