City Comparison
Ismailia West vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ismailia West scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ismailia West
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ismailia West is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
80% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ismailia West's average rent is
84% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Ismailia West | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $220 | $1,400 | -84% |
| Groceries | $150 | $400 | -63% |
| Utilities | $35 | $236 | -85% |
| Transport | $30 | $120 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $40 | $250 | -84% |
| Monthly Total | $475 | $2,406 | -80% |
| Cost Index | 32 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 95% 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 Ismailia West is estimated at
$2,500 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Ismailia West | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $3,100 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $2,500 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 9,688 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $4,500 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Ismailia West | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 58.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Ismailia West scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ismailia West leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ismailia West | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ismailia West is the larger city
— approximately 4.5x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Ismailia West 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 | Ismailia West | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 150,000 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.90% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ismailia West
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living and housing expenses compared to Cairo and Giza.
Proximity to the Suez Canal and Lake Timsah provides scenic waterfront access and recreational spaces.
Low crime rates and a strong community safety profile across local neighborhoods.
Less traffic congestion and a more relaxed daily pace than major Egyptian metropolitan hubs.
Stable employment anchors tied to regional administration and canal-related logistics.
Drawbacks
Limited high-paying corporate or multinational job opportunities locally.
Specialized healthcare requires travel to larger regional medical centers.
Public transit options rely heavily on informal microbuses rather than structured mass transit.
Hot and humid summer conditions can be challenging for outdoor activities.
Limited advanced entertainment and cultural nightlife options compared to capital cities.
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.
Ismailia West
#12Ismailia, Egypt
78.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$220
Avg Salary
$3,100
Cost Index
32
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.90%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
72
Business
62
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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