City Comparison
Kelowna vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Aiken scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kelowna
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
18% higher compared to Kelowna.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kelowna's average rent is
33% higher than Aiken's.
| Metric | Kelowna | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,860 | $1,400 | +33% |
| Groceries | $430 | $400 | +8% |
| Utilities | $180 | $236 | -24% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,840 | $2,406 | +18% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 1% 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 Kelowna is estimated at
$72,396 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Kelowna | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $72,396 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,185 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $75,500 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kelowna runs warmer on average — a 52°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kelowna comes out ahead with 259 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kelowna sees 24.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kelowna | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 19.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | |
| Humidity | 52.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aiken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Kelowna.
For walkability, Aiken leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kelowna | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 35.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kelowna is the larger city
— approximately 4.3x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Kelowna 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 | Kelowna | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 144,576 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 42.7 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kelowna
Advantages
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities including water sports, hiking, and skiing.
Thriving wine region with numerous vineyards and wineries.
Growing technology and healthcare sectors offering diverse job opportunities.
High number of sunny days annually contributing to a pleasant climate.
Strong sense of community and active lifestyle.
Drawbacks
High cost of housing, particularly for home ownership and rentals, making it less affordable than the Canadian average.
Significant car dependency and increasing traffic congestion due to urban growth.
Limited public transit options outside of major corridors, impacting walkability and transit scores.
While crime rates are declining, public perception of safety, particularly regarding property crime, remains a concern.
Increasing demand on infrastructure and services due to population growth, despite recent moderation in growth rates.
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.
Kelowna
#32British Columbia, Canada
53.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,860
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
35.0/10
Sunny Days
259/yr
Avg Temp
52.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
78
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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