City Comparison
Mankato vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mankato scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mankato
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mankato is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mankato's average rent is
18% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Mankato | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,400 | -18% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $236 | -28% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,040 | $2,406 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 6% 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 Mankato is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Mankato | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,132 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mankato runs warmer on average — a 48.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mankato comes out ahead with 258 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mankato sees 25.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mankato | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 9.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mankato has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Mankato scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mankato leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mankato | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mankato is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Aiken is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mankato has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mankato | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,488 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mankato
Advantages
Median home prices in Mankato remain well below the national average per 2024 Zillow data.
Mayo Clinic Health System provides top-tier regional healthcare and major employment opportunities.
Minnesota State University, Mankato infuses the city with cultural events, sports, and a youthful energy.
Extensive outdoor recreation network featuring Riverfront Park and miles of paved biking trails.
Consistently lower unemployment rate compared to the national average per Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Drawbacks
Winters are long and harsh, with significant snowfall and freezing temperatures.
Public transit options are limited outside of core bus routes and the immediate university area.
Rental vacancy rates can tighten significantly during the academic fall semester startup.
Limited direct access to commercial air travel, requiring a trip to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Higher than average state income taxes typical of Minnesota apply to local earners.
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.
Mankato
#110Minnesota, USA
66.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
48.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
77
Business
70
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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