City Comparison
Mount Pleasant vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mount Pleasant scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mount Pleasant
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Mount Pleasant.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mount Pleasant's average rent is
57% higher than Aiken's.
| Metric | Mount Pleasant | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $1,400 | +57% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $236 | -24% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $3,190 | $2,406 | +33% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mount Pleasant offers 3% 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 Mount Pleasant is estimated at
$62,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Mount Pleasant | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,738 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $124,755 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mount Pleasant runs warmer on average — a 66.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mount Pleasant comes out ahead with 232 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mount Pleasant sees 7.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mount Pleasant | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 66.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 42.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 47.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 7.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 232 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Aiken leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mount Pleasant | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 25.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mount Pleasant is the larger city
— approximately 2.9x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Mount Pleasant is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mount Pleasant has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mount Pleasant | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 95,606 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 2.90% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mount Pleasant
Advantages
Median household income is over $124,000, significantly higher than state and national averages per Census data.
Exceptionally low crime rates and high safety profile across master-planned neighborhoods like Carolina Park and I'On.
Proximity to top-tier coastal beaches including Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms.
Top-rated public school district serving families in Charleston County.
Robust local healthcare infrastructure anchored by Roper St. Francis and East Cooper Medical Center.
Drawbacks
High cost of living with median property values approaching $750,000.
Heavy traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along the U.S. Highway 17 corridor.
Low overall town-wide walkability score (averaging around 22), making car dependency nearly absolute outside specific pockets.
Vulnerability to tropical storms and seasonal coastal flooding common to the Lowcountry region.
Rental and housing markets present affordability hurdles for middle-income service and hospitality workers.
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.
Mount Pleasant
#183South Carolina, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
25.0/100
Sunny Days
232/yr
Avg Temp
66.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
2.90%
Livability
85
Business
75
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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