City Comparison
Guelph vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Guelph scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Guelph
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Guelph is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Aiken.
| Metric | Guelph | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,400 | -4% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $160 | $236 | -32% |
| Transport | $100 | $120 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,210 | $2,406 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 21% 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 Guelph is estimated at
$45,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Guelph | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,522 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $72,000 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Guelph runs warmer on average — a 45.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Guelph comes out ahead with 229 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Guelph sees 61.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Guelph | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 61.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 229 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Guelph scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Guelph leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Guelph | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Guelph is the larger city
— approximately 4.6x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Guelph 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 | Guelph | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,000 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Guelph
Advantages
Unemployment rate in Guelph consistently tracks below the national average per Statistics Canada 2025 data.
Consistently ranked among the safest mid-sized cities in Canada with low violent crime indexes.
Home to the internationally renowned University of Guelph, driving innovation, research, and cultural amenities.
Abundant green spaces, including over 1,000 hectares of parks and protected trails.
Strategic location within the Toronto-Waterloo innovation corridor offering robust economic connectivity.
Drawbacks
Housing and rental costs have risen significantly over recent years due to high regional demand.
Public transit coverage in newer suburban expansions can be less frequent, increasing car dependency.
Winter weather brings significant snowfall averaging over 60 inches, requiring robust municipal snow clearance.
Local rental vacancy rates remain tight, making the apartment hunting process highly competitive.
Traffic congestion during peak rush hours along major arteries like Highway 6 has increased with population growth.
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.
Guelph
#12Ontario, Canada
70.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
229/yr
Avg Temp
45.70°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
78
Business
70
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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