Performance
Score Breakdown
Aiken
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
22% lower compared to Fairbanks.
| Metric | Aiken | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,333 | $1,330 | 0% |
| Groceries | $670 | $858 | -22% |
| Utilities | $300 | $617 | -51% |
| Transport | $250 | $447 | -44% |
| Healthcare | $133 | $190 | -30% |
| Monthly Total | $2,686 | $3,442 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 16% higher 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 Aiken is estimated at
$67,000 vs $53,196 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Aiken | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,308 | $39,915 |
| Salary Needed | $67,000 | $53,196 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,480 idx | 32,451 idx |
| Household Income | $76,746 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aiken | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fairbanks has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Fairbanks 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 | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 32.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aiken is the larger city
.
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 | Aiken | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,306 | 32,083 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | % |
| Median Age | 46.6 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.40% |
| 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.
Fairbanks
Advantages
Fairbanks offers abundant outdoor recreational activities, from hiking and fishing in summer to aurora viewing and winter sports.
The average commute time in Fairbanks is shorter than the national average, at 19.2 minutes.
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital is a high-performing facility with patient satisfaction rates above the national average.
Summers feature nearly 24 hours of daylight, providing unique opportunities for gardening and extended outdoor enjoyment.
The community is close-knit and family-friendly, with various local events and cultural heritage celebrations.
Drawbacks
Fairbanks has a high crime rate, significantly above the national average for both violent and property crimes.
The cost of living is 23% higher than the national average, primarily due to very high utility and grocery costs.
Winters are long, dark, and intensely cold, with temperatures regularly dipping well below freezing.
Public transportation options are limited, and the city has a low walkability score, making car dependency high.
Job opportunities outside of major sectors like military, healthcare, and education can be limited.
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
Fairbanks
#42Alaska, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,330
Avg Salary
$39,915
Cost Index
123
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
24.0/10
Walkability
32.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
68
Business
65
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