City Comparison
Fayetteville vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Aiken scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fayetteville
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fayetteville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
10% lower compared to Aiken.
| Metric | Fayetteville | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,402 | $1,400 | 0% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $236 | -24% |
| Transport | $40 | $120 | -67% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $2,172 | $2,406 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fayetteville offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fayetteville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fayetteville is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Fayetteville | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $70,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 76,923 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $66,237 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fayetteville runs warmer on average — a 60.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fayetteville comes out ahead with 257 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fayetteville sees 8.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fayetteville | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 30.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fayetteville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Aiken scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fayetteville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fayetteville | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 89.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fayetteville is the larger city
— approximately 3.2x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Fayetteville 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 | Fayetteville | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,623 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fayetteville
Advantages
Fayetteville consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the U.S..
The cost of living in Fayetteville is 8.6% lower than the national average.
The city boasts a high livability score of 81/100, ranking in the 96th percentile nationally.
Fayetteville has a strong job market, with job growth outpacing the national rate since 2011.
The city is very walkable, with a Walk Score of 89 out of 100, and extensive trail systems.
Drawbacks
Fayetteville's total crime rate is 32% higher than the national average.
The violent crime rate in Fayetteville is 18% higher than the national average.
Public transportation options are limited, making car ownership almost a necessity.
The homeownership rate in Fayetteville (41.8% in 2024) is lower than the national average.
Traffic congestion can be an issue, particularly during major university events.
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.
Fayetteville
#81Arkansas, USA
58.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,402
Avg Salary
$70,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
89.0/10
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
60.20°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
81
Business
75
Aiken
#77South Carolina, USA
59.7 / 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
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