City Comparison
Granby vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Granby scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Granby
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Granby is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Granby's average rent is
11% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Granby | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,400 | -11% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $150 | $236 | -36% |
| Transport | $100 | $120 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,120 | $2,406 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 12% 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 Granby is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Granby | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $65,000 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Granby runs warmer on average — a 43.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Granby comes out ahead with 203 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Granby sees 83 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Granby | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 7.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 47.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 83.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 203 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Granby 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 | Granby | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Granby is the larger city
— approximately 2.1x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Granby 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 | Granby | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,000 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Granby
Advantages
Median home prices and real estate values are significantly more affordable than in neighboring Montreal.
Home to the renowned Jardin zoologique de Granby, providing major tourism and family entertainment benefits.
Abundant green spaces, including Lake Boivin and direct access to the Route Verte cycling network.
Low crime rates and a strong community safety profile ideal for raising families.
A diversified local economy with stable employment in manufacturing, healthcare, and services.
Drawbacks
Public transit options within the city are limited compared to larger metropolitan areas, leading to high car dependency.
Tight rental market vacancy rates have driven up apartment prices for new tenants.
Winters are cold and snowy, requiring significant household adjustments and municipal snow removal budgets.
Access to family physicians can involve waiting lists, reflecting broader healthcare strains in the province.
Provincial and municipal tax rates are relatively high to fund public services and infrastructure.
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.
Granby
#26Quebec, Canada
67.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
203/yr
Avg Temp
43.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
79
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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