City Comparison
Commerce City vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Commerce City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Commerce City
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Commerce City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Commerce City's average rent is
15% higher than Aiken's.
| Metric | Commerce City | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,614 | $1,400 | +15% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $236 | -24% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,544 | $2,406 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Commerce City offers 24% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Commerce City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Commerce City is estimated at
$64,560 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Commerce City | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $64,560 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,392 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $111,972 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Commerce City runs warmer on average — a 53.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Commerce City comes out ahead with 292 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Commerce City sees 21.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Commerce City | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 21.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 292 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aiken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Commerce City.
Commerce City 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 | Commerce City | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Commerce City is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Commerce City 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 | Commerce City | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,400 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.90% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Commerce City
Advantages
Strategic geographic location adjacent to Denver International Airport and major interstate corridors
Home to the unique 15,000-acre Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
More attainable median home values compared to downtown Denver proper
Direct commuter rail access to downtown Denver via the RTD N Line
Thriving master-planned communities offering modern amenities and family-oriented neighborhoods
Drawbacks
Higher than average exposure to heavy industrial zoning and logistics truck traffic in older sectors
Moderate to high car dependency for daily commuting outside of transit-oriented hubs
Rapid population growth has put upward pressure on local housing and rental costs
Varying commercial retail density depending on the specific neighborhood or development phase
Proximity to major industrial facilities can create localized air quality and environmental concerns
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.
Commerce City
#91Colorado, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,614
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
292/yr
Avg Temp
53.40°F
Pop. Growth
2.90%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
75
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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