City Comparison
Denver vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Aiken scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Denver
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Denver.
Housing costs are a major driver: Denver's average rent is
41% higher than Aiken's.
| Metric | Denver | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,975 | $1,400 | +41% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $236 | -24% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,865 | $2,406 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Denver offers 23% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Denver delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Denver is estimated at
$65,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Denver | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $81,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 76,415 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $94,718 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Denver runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Denver comes out ahead with 285 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Denver sees 22.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Denver | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 16.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 285 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aiken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Denver.
Denver scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Denver leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Denver | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Denver is the larger city
— approximately 22.2x 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 | Denver | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 740,613 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Denver
Advantages
Median household income stands at $94,718, significantly outpacing the national average per U.S. Census data.
Enjoyment of approximately 285 sunny days per year, supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Proximity to world-class Rocky Mountain recreation, including premier skiing, hiking, and biking destinations.
Thriving job market with strong sectors in aerospace, technology, and healthcare offering competitive wages.
Vibrant cultural and entertainment ecosystem highlighted by the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre and a thriving craft beverage scene.
Drawbacks
Cost of living runs roughly 6% higher than the national average, led by steep housing and rental expenses.
Median home values of $616,000 present substantial barriers to entry for first-time homebuyers.
Frequent traffic congestion along major commuter corridors like I-25 and I-70 during peak hours.
Air quality can occasionally be impacted by regional wildfire smoke and temperature inversions in the mountain basin.
Property crime rates in certain dense urban neighborhoods require standard metropolitan vigilance.
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.
Denver
#356Colorado, USA
59.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,975
Avg Salary
$81,000
Cost Index
106
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
285/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
82
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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