City Comparison
Cuiabá vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cuiabá scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cuiabá
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cuiabá is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
63% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cuiabá's average rent is
70% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Cuiabá | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $420 | $1,400 | -70% |
| Groceries | $220 | $400 | -45% |
| Utilities | $85 | $236 | -64% |
| Transport | $60 | $120 | -50% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $250 | -60% |
| Monthly Total | $885 | $2,406 | -63% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 83% 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 Cuiabá is estimated at
$9,500 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Cuiabá | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $11,500 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $9,500 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 27,381 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $12,500 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Cuiabá runs warmer on average — a 80.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Cuiabá comes out ahead with 218 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Cuiabá sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cuiabá | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 80.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 74.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 52.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 218 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Cuiabá 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 | Cuiabá | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cuiabá is the larger city
— approximately 19.5x 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 | Cuiabá | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,912 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 5.50% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cuiabá
Advantages
Strategic economic position as the capital of Mato Grosso, driven by booming agribusiness and trade.
Proximity to world-class natural attractions, including the Pantanal wetlands and Chapada dos Guimarães.
Significantly lower cost of living and housing compared to Brazil's coastal megacities.
Growing culinary and cultural scene offering a unique blend of Amazonian and Cerrado traditions.
Expanding healthcare infrastructure acting as a regional medical hub for central Brazil.
Drawbacks
High summer temperatures and intense heat can be challenging for newcomers not used to tropical climates.
Heavy reliance on automobiles leads to traffic congestion along major urban corridors during rush hour.
Income inequality remains visible across certain peripheral urban neighborhoods.
Public transportation options are limited compared to larger metropolitan capitals in the south.
Seasonal dry periods can occasionally cause air quality issues from regional agricultural burning.
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.
Cuiabá
#108Mato Grosso, Brazil
70.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$420
Avg Salary
$11,500
Cost Index
42
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
218/yr
Avg Temp
80.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
5.50%
Livability
72
Business
68
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Cuiabá and Aiken.
Open Cost Calculator