Performance
Score Breakdown
Aiken
Tampa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
20% lower compared to Tampa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aiken's average rent is
22% lower than Tampa's.
| Metric | Aiken | Tampa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,400 | $1,800 | -22% |
| Groceries | $400 | $552 | -28% |
| Utilities | $236 | $294 | -20% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,406 | $3,016 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 100 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 1% 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 $70,000 in Tampa.
| Metric | Aiken | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,884 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,027 idx | 65,000 idx |
| Household Income | $76,746 | $84,114 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aiken | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 31.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tampa is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Tampa 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 | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,306 | 419,635 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 1.47% |
| Median Age | 46.6 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.80% |
| 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.
Tampa
Advantages
Tampa's job market is experiencing significant growth, particularly in education, health services, and financial activities.
The city has seen a substantial reduction in total crime (14.8%) and violent crime (8.4%) in 2024.
The median household income in Tampa increased by over 15% between 2023 and 2024.
Tampa offers a high quality of life with abundant outdoor activities and a vibrant cultural scene.
Healthcare costs in Tampa are generally lower than the Florida state average.
Drawbacks
The violent crime rate in Tampa (444.6 per 100,000) was higher than the national average in 2024.
Housing costs, particularly median home values, have seen a significant increase, making homeownership less accessible for some.
Tampa's population growth rate has slowed in 2024 compared to previous years, with fewer new residents moving to the city.
The city's overall walkability score is moderate, indicating a reliance on cars for many errands.
The unemployment rate in Tampa (4.8% in April 2026) is slightly above the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Aiken
#15South 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
Tampa
#10Florida, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
100
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
31.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.47%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
70
Business
75
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