City Comparison
Estevan vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Estevan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Estevan
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Estevan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Estevan's average rent is
36% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Estevan | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $900 | $1,400 | -36% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $236 | -24% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $1,800 | $2,406 | -25% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 6% 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 Estevan is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Estevan | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,391 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $94,000 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Estevan runs warmer on average — a 39.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Estevan comes out ahead with 287 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Estevan sees 24.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Estevan | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 39.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 74.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | -2.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 287 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Estevan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Aiken scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Estevan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Estevan | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aiken is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Estevan.
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 | Estevan | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,851 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Estevan
Advantages
Median home purchase prices in Estevan are roughly 18% lower than the national average per regional housing data.
The city records some of the highest annual hours of sunshine in Canada, offering an exceptionally bright climate.
Average monthly rental costs are substantially below national and provincial urban equivalents.
Strong local focus on discretionary income ranks the community favorably for household liquid assets within Saskatchewan.
Short local commute times and minimal traffic congestion provide a stress-free daily driving environment.
Drawbacks
Local employment and municipal economic cycles remain closely tied to volatility in global oil, gas, and coal markets.
Winters are long, harsh, and subject to deep sub-zero temperatures typical of the Canadian prairies.
Public mass transit options are extremely limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily errands.
Access to specialized medical care requires traveling over 100 miles to larger urban hospitals in Regina.
Transition policies surrounding traditional coal power generation introduce long-term labor market uncertainties.
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.
Estevan
#25Saskatchewan, Canada
67.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$900
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
287/yr
Avg Temp
39.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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