Performance
Score Breakdown
Broomfield
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Broomfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
71% lower compared to Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Broomfield's average rent is
100% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Broomfield | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,400 | -100% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $236 | -24% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $700 | $2,406 | -71% |
| Cost Index | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Broomfield | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $55,000 |
| Household Income | $123,874 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Broomfield | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 44.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
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 | Broomfield | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 10.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 16.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Broomfield is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Broomfield 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 | Broomfield | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,154 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.24% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Broomfield
Advantages
Broomfield consistently ranks high for safety, named the #1 safest midsize city in the U.S. by SmartAsset.
The city boasts a high livability score of 85/100, ranking in the 98th percentile nationally.
Broomfield has a strong and growing job market, with employment increasing by 1.43% from 2023 to 2024.
The average commute time of 25.5 minutes is efficient for a metro area of its size, aided by good regional access via US 36.
The city offers extensive open spaces and recreational opportunities, including over 8,000 acres of trails and parks.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Broomfield is approximately 20% higher than the national average, primarily due to housing costs.
Broomfield has a low Walk Score of 16 and a Transit Score of 10, indicating high car dependency.
While overall crime is low, the overall crime rate is higher than the average US city when considering all crime types.
The housing market is considered overvalued relative to local economic output, with a housing ratio of 10.4x.
Some residents express concerns about environmental factors like air quality from wildfire smoke and past issues related to Rocky Flats.
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.
Broomfield
#28Colorado, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
16.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.24%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
85
Business
68
Aiken
#72South Carolina, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$65,884
Cost Index
89
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
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