City Comparison
Charnwood vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Aiken scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Charnwood
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Charnwood.
Housing costs are a major driver: Charnwood's average rent is
21% higher than Aiken's.
| Metric | Charnwood | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,700 | $1,400 | +21% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $236 | -24% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,700 | $2,406 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Charnwood offers 8% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Charnwood delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Charnwood is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Charnwood | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,300 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,053 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $67,090 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Charnwood | 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
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Charnwood scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Charnwood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Charnwood | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aiken is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Charnwood.
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 | Charnwood | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,055 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.03% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.09% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Charnwood
Advantages
Affordable property prices compared to ACT averages, offering good entry points for buyers.
Strong community-oriented environment with local markets and festivals fostering a sense of belonging.
Proximity to Belconnen Town Centre provides convenient access to shopping, arts, and recreational facilities.
Crime in Charnwood decreased by 100% from 2024 to 2025, with no homicide cases reported in 2025.
Median house prices in Charnwood saw a 5.6% growth from July 2025 to July 2026.
Drawbacks
Limited high-end properties available in the suburb.
Market fluctuations can occur, impacting property values.
Distance from Canberra's CBD means a longer commute for some residents.
Higher rates of break-ins and motor vehicle theft compared to the ACT average in 2022-2024.
Most daily errands require a car, indicating a medium car dependency.
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.
Charnwood
#15Australian Capital Territory, Australia
59.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,700
Avg Salary
$71,300
Cost Index
95
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.03%
Unemployment
4.09%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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