City Comparison
Enid vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Enid scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Enid
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Enid is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Enid's average rent is
32% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Enid | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,400 | -32% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $236 | -28% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,406 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 20% 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 Enid is estimated at
$45,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Enid | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,095 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $56,500 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Enid runs warmer on average — a 61.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Enid comes out ahead with 282 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Enid sees 6.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Enid | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 34.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 6.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 282 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Enid has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
For walkability, Aiken leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Enid | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Enid is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Aiken is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Enid | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,123 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Enid
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates are significantly below the national average per Zillow and US Census data.
Short average commute times of under 20 minutes make daily travel stress-free.
Presence of Vance Air Force Base contributes a stable, patriotic, and diverse economic foundation.
Abundant recreational spaces, including the expansive Meadowlake Park and local aquatic facilities.
Strong local healthcare infrastructure anchored by two major regional medical centers.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are very limited, creating high reliance on personal automobiles.
Extreme weather events, including summer heat waves and occasional severe spring storms, require preparedness.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger metropolitan hubs like Oklahoma City.
Local average wages and median household incomes trail national benchmarks.
Air quality and climate can be impacted by regional wind, agricultural dust, and seasonal allergens.
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.
Enid
#140Oklahoma, USA
65.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$53,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
282/yr
Avg Temp
61.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
69
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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