City Comparison
Makati vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Makati scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Makati
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Makati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
30% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Makati's average rent is
36% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Makati | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $900 | $1,400 | -36% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $236 | -28% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $1,690 | $2,406 | -30% |
| Cost Index | 41 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 99% 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 Makati is estimated at
$1,200 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Makati | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $680 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $1,200 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 1,659 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $12,500 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Makati | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 78.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aiken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
10,500 minutes (175 hours) per year compared to Makati.
Makati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Makati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Makati | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 45 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 78.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Makati is the larger city
— approximately 9.3x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Makati 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 | Makati | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,770 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 29.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Makati
Advantages
Makati's GDP expanded by 5.0 percent in 2025, demonstrating sustained regional economic resilience per PSA data.
The city features premier healthcare infrastructure anchored by world-class hospitals like Makati Medical Center.
Unrivaled density of top corporate headquarters and multinational employers concentrated within the Makati CBD.
Extensive pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and elevated walkway systems connecting major commercial spaces in the core.
Vibrant lifestyle and dining options, ranging from upscale Ayala Center malls to the eclectic culinary scene in Poblacion.
Drawbacks
Average monthly net salaries lag severely behind steep CBD rental and property acquisition costs per Numbeo 2026 indices.
Severe traffic congestion during peak commuting hours strains daily travel times across Metro Manila.
High vulnerability to tropical storm disruptions, urban flooding, and heavy seasonal rainfall.
Elevated cost of living and housing prices compared to the broader national Philippine average.
Significant gap between wealthy commercial hubs and denser, lower-income outer neighborhoods.
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.
Makati
#4Luzon, Philippines
78.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$900
Avg Salary
$680
Cost Index
41
Commute
45 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
70
Business
78
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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