City Comparison
Altoona vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Altoona scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Altoona
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Altoona is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Altoona's average rent is
29% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Altoona | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,000 | $1,400 | -29% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $236 | -26% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,885 | $2,406 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 21% 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 Altoona is estimated at
$45,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Altoona | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,415 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $51,250 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Altoona runs warmer on average — a 51.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Altoona comes out ahead with 227 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Altoona sees 25.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Altoona | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 227 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Altoona has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Altoona 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 | Altoona | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Altoona is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Aiken.
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 | Altoona | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,196 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Altoona
Advantages
Median home property values in Altoona remain exceptionally affordable at roughly $161,000 per Zillow and Census data.
Average monthly rent is approximately $1,000, sitting roughly 40% below the national average per Zillow.
Average commute times are short, typically hovering around 18 to 20 minutes per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Proximity to stunning outdoor recreational destinations like the Horseshoe Curve and Canoe Creek State Park.
Low violent crime rates provide a peaceful and secure environment for families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Economic growth and population trends show a slight multi-year decline per U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Median household income trails both state and national benchmarks significantly.
Limited high-paying corporate or advanced tech job opportunities locally compared to larger metro areas.
Public transit options are relatively limited, making owning a personal vehicle virtually essential.
winters bring cold temperatures and heavy seasonal snowfall requiring winterized preparation.
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.
Altoona
#285Pennsylvania, USA
61.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,000
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
227/yr
Avg Temp
51.10°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
73
Business
62
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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