City Comparison
Colorado Springs vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Colorado Springs scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Colorado Springs
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Colorado Springs.
Housing costs are a major driver: Colorado Springs's average rent is
25% higher than Aiken's.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,400 | +25% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $236 | -28% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,710 | $2,406 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Colorado Springs offers 8% higher 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 Colorado Springs is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,297 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $84,818 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 45.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Colorado Springs 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 | Colorado Springs | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Colorado Springs is the larger city
— approximately 14.9x the population of Aiken.
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 | Colorado Springs | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 494,743 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.57% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Colorado Springs
Advantages
Median home value remains more accessible than Denver metro counterparts per Zillow 2026 data
Unemployment rate sits at a healthy 4.1% matching competitive national benchmarks per BLS
Unmatched proximity to iconic outdoor recreation including Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods
Robust local economy driven by aerospace, defense technology, and high-tech sectors
Average monthly earnings outpace national averages per recent BLS occupational wage reports
Drawbacks
High elevation and dry climate require adjustment periods for new residents
Significant car dependency across sprawling suburban neighborhoods limits transit utility
Property crime rates in certain central urban pockets remain above national medians
Rapid historical growth has strained local infrastructure and traffic capacity on I-25
Home prices and rents have escalated significantly compared to pre-2020 affordability levels
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.
Colorado Springs
#307Colorado, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
101
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.57%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
80
Business
72
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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