Performance
Score Breakdown
Aiken
Aberdeen
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aberdeen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
32% higher compared to Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aiken's average rent is
23% higher than Aberdeen's.
| Metric | Aiken | Aberdeen | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,333 | $1,081 | +23% |
| Groceries | $670 | $400 | +68% |
| Utilities | $300 | $180 | +67% |
| Transport | $250 | $120 | +108% |
| Healthcare | $133 | $250 | -47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,686 | $2,031 | +32% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aberdeen offers 20% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Aberdeen delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Aiken is estimated at
$67,000 vs $43,240 in Aberdeen.
| Metric | Aiken | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,308 | $57,742 |
| Salary Needed | $67,000 | $43,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,480 idx | 61,428 idx |
| Household Income | $76,746 | $64,405 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aiken | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aberdeen has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Aiken 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 | Aiken | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 12 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 39.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aiken is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Aberdeen.
From a growth perspective, Aiken is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aberdeen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Aiken | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,306 | 28,189 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | % |
| Median Age | 46.6 | 36.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 1.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aiken
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Aiken is approximately 15% lower than the U.S. average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs are significantly lower, estimated to be 36% below the national average.
Aiken Regional Medical Centers consistently receives 'A' safety grades and 'High Performing' ratings, indicating high-quality healthcare.
The city boasts a rich equestrian culture and numerous outdoor recreational opportunities, including Hitchcock Woods.
Aiken has a stable job market with a 1.13% employment growth rate from 2023 to 2024.
Drawbacks
Public transportation is limited, with less than 1% of residents using it, leading to high car dependency.
Utility costs in Aiken can be slightly higher than the national average.
Summers in Aiken are hot and muggy, with high humidity levels.
The average monthly net salary of $2,917 is lower than the national average.
While generally safe, a specific 'Safety index' was reported as 30, which might indicate areas for improvement in certain crime metrics.
Aberdeen
Advantages
Aberdeen boasts a significantly lower cost of living, estimated to be 6% below the U.S. national average in 2026.
The average commute time in Aberdeen is exceptionally short, at just 11.9 minutes as of 2024.
The violent crime rate is 72% below the national average, contributing to a high safety score.
Aberdeen has a high industry diversity of 98.7%, indicating strong economic stability.
Avera St. Luke's Hospital was recognized among America's 100 Best for Coronary Intervention in 2026, highlighting quality healthcare.
Drawbacks
Aberdeen's population is currently declining, with a projected annual rate of -0.37% in 2026.
The city is largely car-dependent, with a walkability score of 39 and limited public transit options.
Employment in Aberdeen declined by -2.54% from 2023 to 2024.
Winters in Aberdeen are described as freezing, snowy, and windy, with an average January low of 6°F.
Some healthcare facilities, like Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center, declined to respond to Leapfrog Group on several patient safety and equity measures.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Aiken
#19South Carolina, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,333
Avg Salary
$46,308
Cost Index
85
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
74
Business
68
Aberdeen
#8South Dakota, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,081
Avg Salary
$57,742
Cost Index
94
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
1.70%
Livability
80
Business
75
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