City Comparison
Hurghada Center vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hurghada Center scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hurghada Center
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hurghada Center is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
74% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hurghada Center's average rent is
77% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Hurghada Center | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $320 | $1,400 | -77% |
| Groceries | $160 | $400 | -60% |
| Utilities | $45 | $236 | -81% |
| Transport | $35 | $120 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $60 | $250 | -76% |
| Monthly Total | $620 | $2,406 | -74% |
| Cost Index | 32 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 94% 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 Hurghada Center is estimated at
$3,800 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Hurghada Center | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $4,200 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $3,800 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 13,125 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $5,200 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Hurghada Center | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 50.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hurghada Center has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Hurghada Center scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hurghada Center leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hurghada Center | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hurghada Center is the larger city
— approximately 5.9x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Hurghada Center 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 | Hurghada Center | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 195,000 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.40% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 6.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hurghada Center
Advantages
Year-round warm climate with mild winters and consistent sunshine averaging over 3,000 hours annually.
Exceptional access to world-class Red Sea coral reefs, diving, and marine recreational activities right at the doorstep.
Significantly lower cost of living and housing expenses compared to European and North American coastal cities.
Strong, established international expat community with English and multiple European languages widely spoken in commercial areas.
Proximity to Hurghada International Airport providing direct flight connections to major European cities.
Drawbacks
Local wages are low compared to Western standards, reflecting the national Egyptian economic baseline.
Summer temperatures can become intensely hot and humid, frequently exceeding 35°C (95°F).
Tourist-zone pricing can inflate costs for everyday goods and services relative to inland Egyptian cities.
Infrastructure outside of primary tourist corridors and major compounds can occasionally suffer from maintenance or municipal service delays.
Limited formal corporate job market outside of tourism, hospitality, and real estate sectors.
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.
Hurghada Center
#14Red Sea, Egypt
78.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$320
Avg Salary
$4,200
Cost Index
32
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.40%
Unemployment
6.20%
Livability
73
Business
65
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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