Performance
Score Breakdown
Charnwood
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
12% higher compared to Charnwood.
Housing costs are a major driver: Charnwood's average rent is
21% higher than Aiken's.
| Metric | Charnwood | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,700 | $1,400 | +21% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $236 | -24% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,700 | $2,406 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Charnwood offers 8% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Charnwood delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Charnwood is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Charnwood | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,300 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,053 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $67,090 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Charnwood | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Charnwood scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Charnwood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Charnwood | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aiken is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Charnwood.
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 | Charnwood | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,055 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.03% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.09% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Charnwood
Advantages
Affordable property prices compared to ACT averages, offering good entry points for buyers.
Strong community-oriented environment with local markets and festivals fostering a sense of belonging.
Proximity to Belconnen Town Centre provides convenient access to shopping, arts, and recreational facilities.
Crime in Charnwood decreased by 100% from 2024 to 2025, with no homicide cases reported in 2025.
Median house prices in Charnwood saw a 5.6% growth from July 2025 to July 2026.
Drawbacks
Limited high-end properties available in the suburb.
Market fluctuations can occur, impacting property values.
Distance from Canberra's CBD means a longer commute for some residents.
Higher rates of break-ins and motor vehicle theft compared to the ACT average in 2022-2024.
Most daily errands require a car, indicating a medium car dependency.
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.
Charnwood
#1Australian Capital Territory, Australia
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,700
Avg Salary
$71,300
Cost Index
95
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.03%
Unemployment
4.09%
Livability
74
Business
68
Aiken
#54South 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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