City Comparison
Casas Grandes vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Casas Grandes scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Casas Grandes
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Casas Grandes is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
67% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Casas Grandes's average rent is
75% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Casas Grandes | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,400 | -75% |
| Groceries | $220 | $400 | -45% |
| Utilities | $65 | $236 | -72% |
| Transport | $50 | $120 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $250 | -60% |
| Monthly Total | $785 | $2,406 | -67% |
| Cost Index | 38 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 89% 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 Casas Grandes is estimated at
$6,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Casas Grandes | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $7,200 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $6,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 18,947 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $8,500 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Casas Grandes runs warmer on average — a 64.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Casas Grandes comes out ahead with 331 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Casas Grandes sees 0.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Casas Grandes | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 11.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 331 | |
| Humidity | 42.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Casas Grandes has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
For walkability, Casas Grandes leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Casas Grandes | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aiken is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Casas Grandes.
From a growth perspective, Aiken is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Casas Grandes has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Casas Grandes | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,587 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Casas Grandes
Advantages
Municipal population of approximately 11,500 offers a peaceful, low-stress small-town environment.
Proximity to the Paquimé archaeological zone provides rich cultural and historical value.
Exceptionally high count of sunny days (331 days annually) supporting outdoor lifestyles.
Significantly lower housing and cost of living expenses compared to major North American cities.
Strong community identity centered around traditional arts, agriculture, and local heritage.
Drawbacks
Limited local job market outside of agriculture, tourism, and small-scale commerce.
Reliance on neighboring Nuevo Casas Grandes for advanced healthcare and specialized retail.
Low annual rainfall (11.7 inches) requires conscious water management and drought awareness.
Limited public mass transit infrastructure, making personal vehicle ownership nearly essential.
Fewer high-speed broadband options in outlying rural areas outside the town center.
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.
Casas Grandes
#94Chihuahua, Mexico
75.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$7,200
Cost Index
38
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
331/yr
Avg Temp
64.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
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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