City Comparison
Safaga vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Safaga scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Safaga
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Safaga is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
83% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Safaga's average rent is
87% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Safaga | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $180 | $1,400 | -87% |
| Groceries | $120 | $400 | -70% |
| Utilities | $35 | $236 | -85% |
| Transport | $30 | $120 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $40 | $250 | -84% |
| Monthly Total | $405 | $2,406 | -83% |
| Cost Index | 30 | 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 Safaga is estimated at
$2,800 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Safaga | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $3,200 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $2,800 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 10,667 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $3,500 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Safaga runs warmer on average — a 79.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Safaga comes out ahead with 364 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Safaga sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Safaga | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 79.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 97.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 59.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 0.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 364 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Safaga has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
For walkability, Aiken leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Safaga | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Safaga is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Safaga 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 | Safaga | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,000 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 29.5 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 6.50% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Safaga
Advantages
World-class windsurfing and kitesurfing conditions with consistent thermal winds year-round
Exceptionally low cost of living and affordable local housing compared to major Egyptian urban centers
Renowned natural black sand dunes and mineral springs valued for therapeutic health treatments
Strategic Red Sea coastal location offering uncrowded beaches and premier diving sites
Low crime rates and a secure, welcoming community environment for residents and families
Drawbacks
Extreme summer heat with average high temperatures reaching 97.7°F
Limited local public transit infrastructure, requiring reliance on microbuses and private cars
Scarcity of advanced healthcare facilities, necessitating travel to Hurghada for specialized medical care
Limited high-paying professional job sectors outside of tourism, mining, and port operations
Dry, arid desert climate with virtually no annual rainfall (0.1 inches per year)
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.
Safaga
#85Suez, Egypt
74.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$180
Avg Salary
$3,200
Cost Index
30
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
364/yr
Avg Temp
79.90°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
65
Business
55
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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