City Comparison
Chapecó vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Chapecó scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Chapecó
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Chapecó is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
48% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Chapecó's average rent is
61% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Chapecó | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $550 | $1,400 | -61% |
| Groceries | $320 | $400 | -20% |
| Utilities | $110 | $236 | -53% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $180 | $250 | -28% |
| Monthly Total | $1,250 | $2,406 | -48% |
| Cost Index | 52 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 78% 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 Chapecó is estimated at
$11,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Chapecó | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $14,500 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $11,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 27,885 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $15,800 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Chapecó runs warmer on average — a 67.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Chapecó comes out ahead with 194 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Chapecó sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Chapecó | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 67.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 66.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 90.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 194 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Chapecó has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Chapecó scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Chapecó leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Chapecó | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Chapecó is the larger city
— approximately 7.6x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Chapecó 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 | Chapecó | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 254,751 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Chapecó
Advantages
Unemployment rate consistently tracks well below the Brazilian national average due to a thriving agro-industrial sector.
Recognized as one of the safest medium-sized cities in Brazil with low violent crime rates.
Serves as the undisputed economic, educational, and medical hub for western Santa Catarina.
High urban planning standards featuring abundant green spaces, clean public areas, and well-maintained parks.
Strong local economy anchored by global agribusiness leaders providing stable career opportunities.
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation from major coastal capitals and metropolitan centers increases travel and logistics costs.
Rising real estate and rental prices driven by rapid inward migration and limited central housing stock.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along primary arterial roads has increased noticeably.
Continental climate brings marked seasonal temperature swings and heavy annual rainfall.
Limited public rail transit options make the city heavily dependent on road transport.
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.
Chapecó
#6Santa Catarina, Brazil
83.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$550
Avg Salary
$14,500
Cost Index
52
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
194/yr
Avg Temp
67.10°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
Business
78
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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