City Comparison
Apaseo el Grande vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Apaseo el Grande scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Apaseo el Grande
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Apaseo el Grande is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
72% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Apaseo el Grande's average rent is
75% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Apaseo el Grande | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,400 | -75% |
| Groceries | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Utilities | $55 | $236 | -77% |
| Transport | $40 | $120 | -67% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $250 | -80% |
| Monthly Total | $675 | $2,406 | -72% |
| Cost Index | 35 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 86% 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 Apaseo el Grande is estimated at
$7,800 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Apaseo el Grande | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,500 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $7,800 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 27,143 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $8,500 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Apaseo el Grande runs warmer on average — a 67.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Apaseo el Grande comes out ahead with 265 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Apaseo el Grande sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Apaseo el Grande | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aiken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Apaseo el Grande.
Apaseo el Grande scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Apaseo el Grande leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Apaseo el Grande | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Apaseo el Grande is the larger city
— approximately 3.8x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Apaseo el Grande is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Apaseo el Grande | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,000 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.60% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Apaseo el Grande
Advantages
Strategic location along the Bajío industrial and highway corridor adjacent to Querétaro
Significantly lower cost of living and housing expenses compared to major US and Mexican metros
Rapidly growing job market driven by major automotive manufacturers and supply chains
Rich colonial history, vibrant local culture, and traditional community atmosphere
Abundant sunshine with 265 sunny days per year and pleasant, mild summer temperatures
Drawbacks
Regional security challenges and property crime linked to wider Guanajuato industrial logistics corridors
Limited local high-end entertainment, cultural venues, and luxury retail options
Heavy reliance on neighboring cities like Celaya and Querétaro for advanced healthcare and specialized services
Traffic congestion during peak shift changes around major industrial parks and federal highways
Semi-arid climate experiences seasonal dry spells and moderate annual rainfall variations
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.
Apaseo el Grande
#100Guanajuato, Mexico
74.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$9,500
Cost Index
35
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
67.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
67
Business
75
Aiken
#322South Carolina, USA
60.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$65,884
Cost Index
89
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
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