City Comparison
Yishun vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Aiken scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Yishun
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Yishun.
Housing costs are a major driver: Yishun's average rent is
32% higher than Aiken's.
| Metric | Yishun | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,400 | +32% |
| Groceries | $425 | $400 | +6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $236 | -24% |
| Transport | $100 | $120 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $2,705 | $2,406 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 132 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 21% 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 Yishun is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Yishun | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,864 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 39,291 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $54,054 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Yishun runs warmer on average — a 81.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Yishun comes out ahead with 83 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Yishun sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Yishun | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 81.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 73.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 115.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 83 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aiken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Yishun.
Yishun scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Yishun leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Yishun | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 80.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 75.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Yishun is the larger city
— approximately 6.9x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Aiken is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Yishun has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Yishun | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,730 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.76% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 2.82% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Yishun
Advantages
Yishun's physical crime cases have significantly decreased by at least 50% over the decade leading up to 2023, making it one of Singapore's safer neighborhoods.
The town offers excellent public transportation, including two MRT stations and an integrated bus interchange, ensuring straightforward commuting.
Yishun provides comprehensive healthcare facilities, including two major hospitals (Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and Yishun Community Hospital) and polyclinics, offering high-quality medical care.
The presence of numerous parks, reservoirs, and green spaces contributes to a high quality of life and opportunities for outdoor activities.
Yishun is a well-planned town with a wide array of amenities, including shopping malls and hawker centres, catering to diverse resident needs.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Singapore, including Yishun, is significantly higher than the US average, with rent being particularly expensive for non-subsidized housing.
While more affordable than central areas, rental prices for apartments in Yishun can still be substantial, with 1-bedroom units averaging around $1,850 USD per month.
Petrol prices in Singapore are very high, costing approximately $9.24 USD per gallon as of September 2026, making car ownership expensive.
Doctor visits without insurance can be costly for non-residents, with private GP consultations starting around $30 USD.
Despite overall safety, Yishun has historically faced a social media-fueled reputation for unusual incidents, though official crime statistics refute it as a hotspot.
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.
Yishun
#19North Region, Singapore
52.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$51,864
Cost Index
132
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
80.0/100
Walkability
75.0/100
Sunny Days
83/yr
Avg Temp
81.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.76%
Unemployment
2.82%
Livability
80
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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