Performance
Score Breakdown
Aiken
Sitka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sitka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1285% higher compared to Aiken.
| Metric | Aiken | Sitka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,333 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $670 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $300 | $194 | +55% |
| Transport | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $133 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,686 | $194 | +1285% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 117 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Aiken | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,308 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $67,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $76,746 | $101,727 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Sitka runs warmer on average — a 43.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Sitka comes out ahead with 111 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sitka sees 198.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Aiken | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 43.90°F |
| Summer High | °F | 60.80°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 28.20°F |
| Rainfall | in | 138.90 in |
| Snowfall | in | 198.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 111 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sitka has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 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 | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aiken is the larger city
— approximately 4x the population of Sitka.
From a growth perspective, Aiken is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sitka has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Aiken | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,306 | 8,368 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | % |
| Median Age | 46.6 | 39.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.10% |
| 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.
Sitka
Advantages
Sitka has a livability score of 85/100, ranking it in the 98th percentile of all cities.
The average one-way commute time in Sitka is 13 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average.
Sitka's crime rate is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
The median household income in Sitka was $101,727 in 2024, exceeding the national average.
The healthcare sector in Sitka experienced an 8% growth in jobs and an 18% rise in wages from 2022 to 2024.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Sitka is 17% higher than the national average.
Housing shortages and pricing are significant concerns for residents and employers.
The seafood industry, a key economic sector, saw a decline in earnings and jobs from 2023 to 2024.
Sitka's population is on a steady downward trajectory, with a loss of 10.5% from 2014 to 2024.
The average residential electricity bill in Sitka is higher than the national average.
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
Sitka
#3Alaska, USA
85.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
117
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
111/yr
Avg Temp
43.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
85
Business
85
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