City Comparison
Springfield vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Aiken scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Springfield
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
14% lower compared to Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Springfield's average rent is
20% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Springfield | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,121 | $1,400 | -20% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $236 | -24% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,071 | $2,406 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 17% 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 Springfield is estimated at
$67,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Springfield | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $67,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,111 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $49,311 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Springfield | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Springfield scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aiken leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Springfield | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
— approximately 5.1x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Aiken 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 | Springfield | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,117 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.16% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $29.3B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Springfield
Advantages
The cost of living in Springfield is 8-12% below the national average, with significant savings in housing, utilities, and groceries.
Housing is highly affordable, with a median home value of $208,223 in 2026, making homeownership more accessible.
The average commute time is short, at just 16 minutes, enhancing daily convenience for residents.
Springfield has a diversified and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare and manufacturing.
The city is a regional healthcare hub with highly-rated hospitals like Mercy Hospital Springfield, which received a Leapfrog A rating in 2024 and 2025.
Drawbacks
Healthcare costs in Springfield are reported to be 6-11.5% above the national average.
The median household income of $49,311 (2024) is lower than the national median.
Springfield received a low safety score of 26 out of 100 in Livability's 2026 ranking.
The city experiences varied and sometimes extreme weather, including muggy summers and cold, snowy winters.
While a regional hub, the city's population diversity is lower compared to many other U.S. cities.
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.
Springfield
#128Missouri, USA
49.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,121
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.16%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
78
Business
68
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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