City Comparison
Aswan vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Aswan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Aswan
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aswan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
55% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aswan's average rent is
90% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Aswan | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $136 | $1,400 | -90% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $236 | -24% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,086 | $2,406 | -55% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 100% 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 Aswan is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Aswan | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $163 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 172 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $62,000 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aswan | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 26.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aiken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Aswan.
Aswan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aswan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Aswan | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aswan is the larger city
— approximately 11.1x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Aswan 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 | Aswan | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 370,000 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aswan
Advantages
Exceptional quality of life at affordable costs, with living expenses significantly lower than Cairo and Alexandria [9].
Year-round pleasant climate with minimal rainfall and abundant sunshine, ideal for outdoor activities [9].
Tranquil pace of life and a relaxed atmosphere, offering a peaceful lifestyle [9].
Rich Nubian heritage and proximity to world-renowned archaeological sites like Abu Simbel and Philae Temple [9].
Affordable housing options, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costing around $136 per month [40].
Drawbacks
Solo female travelers may experience consistent harassment [27].
Summers are extremely hot, with average high temperatures consistently above 40°C (104°F) [3].
Limited job opportunities outside of tourism and agriculture compared to larger Egyptian cities.
Public transportation can be slow, and taxis require fare negotiation [11, 13].
An E. coli outbreak occurred in September 2024, raising concerns about water quality in some areas [44].
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.
Aswan
#194Cairo, Egypt
61.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$136
Avg Salary
$163
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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