City Comparison
Álamos vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Álamos scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Álamos
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Álamos is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
54% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Álamos's average rent is
61% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Álamos | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $550 | $1,400 | -61% |
| Groceries | $250 | $400 | -38% |
| Utilities | $110 | $236 | -53% |
| Transport | $80 | $120 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $250 | -52% |
| Monthly Total | $1,110 | $2,406 | -54% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 85% 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 Álamos is estimated at
$12,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Álamos | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,600 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $12,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 22,857 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $10,500 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Álamos runs warmer on average — a 75.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Álamos comes out ahead with 290 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Álamos sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Álamos | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 92.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 54.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 21.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 290 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Álamos has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Álamos scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Álamos leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Álamos | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 72.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aiken is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Álamos.
From a growth perspective, Aiken is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Álamos has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Álamos | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,000 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Álamos
Advantages
Exceptional historic colonial architecture and preserved Andalusian aesthetic throughout the town center
Warm, sunny climate featuring approximately 290 sunny days per year
Low overall cost of living compared to U.S. and Canadian averages
Strong arts and cultural community anchored by the annual Festival Alfonso Ortiz Tirado
Peaceful, low-stress environment with low rates of violent crime compared to larger urban centers
Drawbacks
Limited local job market outside of tourism, agriculture, and small-scale commerce
Proximity to major advanced healthcare facilities requires travel to Navojoa or Ciudad Obregón
Historic properties can involve high maintenance costs and strict preservation regulations
Summer temperatures can reach extreme highs, necessitating heavy air conditioning use
Limited public transit connectivity to major international airports
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.
Álamos
#165Sonora, Mexico
69.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$550
Avg Salary
$9,600
Cost Index
42
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
72.0/100
Sunny Days
290/yr
Avg Temp
75.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
76
Business
60
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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