City Comparison
Langley vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Aiken scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Langley
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
16% higher compared to Langley.
Housing costs are a major driver: Langley's average rent is
29% higher than Aiken's.
| Metric | Langley | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,400 | +29% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $236 | -24% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,800 | $2,406 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 109 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 26% 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 Langley is estimated at
$3,767 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Langley | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,880 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $3,767 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 44,844 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $77,000 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Langley runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Langley comes out ahead with 214 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Langley sees 32.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Langley | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 74.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 30.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 64.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 32.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 214 | |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aiken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Langley.
Langley scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Langley leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Langley | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Langley is the larger city
— approximately 5.9x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Langley 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 | Langley | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,585 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 5.00% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 6.90% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Langley
Advantages
Langley offers a more affordable cost of living compared to Vancouver, with housing prices being significantly lower.
The city has a rich history, being the birthplace of British Columbia, with historical sites like Fort Langley National Historic Site.
Langley Memorial Hospital has received international recognition for surgical excellence, indicating high-quality healthcare in this area.
The community is known for its strong family-friendly atmosphere, good schools, and abundant green spaces, contributing to a high quality of life.
Langley is experiencing significant population growth and development, indicating economic momentum and an evolving urban landscape.
Drawbacks
Langley's crime rates are higher than the British Columbia average.
The city is primarily car-dependent, with public transit not as developed as in larger urban centers, and no current SkyTrain connection.
The average salary in Langley is lower than the Canadian average, which may impact purchasing power despite lower living costs.
Rapid growth and development can lead to increased traffic congestion and strain on infrastructure.
While generally more affordable than Vancouver, housing prices and overall cost of living are subject to market fluctuations and ongoing development.
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.
Langley
#30British Columbia, Canada
54.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$48,880
Cost Index
109
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
214/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
5.00%
Unemployment
6.90%
Livability
74
Business
68
Aiken
#78South 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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