City Comparison
Goose Creek vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Goose Creek scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Goose Creek
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Goose Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Goose Creek's average rent is
18% higher than Aiken's.
| Metric | Goose Creek | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,400 | +18% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $236 | -26% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,600 | $2,406 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 3% 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 Goose Creek is estimated at
$53,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Goose Creek | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $53,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Goose Creek runs warmer on average — a 66.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Goose Creek comes out ahead with 239 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Goose Creek sees 5.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Goose Creek | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 66.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 40.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 5.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aiken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Goose Creek.
Goose Creek 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 | Goose Creek | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Goose Creek is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Goose Creek 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 | Goose Creek | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,983 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Goose Creek
Advantages
Proximity to Joint Base Charleston provides robust employment and community integration for military families.
Housing affordability remains favorable compared to downtown Charleston and neighboring Mount Pleasant.
Abundant community parks, recreational facilities, and the Crowfield Golf Club offer active outdoor lifestyles.
Low violent crime rates contribute to a secure, family-friendly suburban environment.
Steady local economic growth and close access to major Lowcountry industrial and manufacturing employers.
Drawbacks
Traffic congestion along major commuter corridors like US-52 during peak rush hours.
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transportation infrastructure.
Vulnerability to seasonal severe weather and hurricane risks typical of the South Carolina coast.
Rapid regional growth has placed upward pressure on local housing and rental prices.
Limited high-end nightlife and entertainment options directly within city limits compared to downtown Charleston.
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.
Goose Creek
#96South Carolina, USA
67.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
66.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
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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