Performance
Score Breakdown
Huntsville
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
3% higher compared to Huntsville.
| Metric | Huntsville | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,333 | +9% |
| Groceries | $510 | $670 | -24% |
| Utilities | $220 | $300 | -27% |
| Transport | $180 | $250 | -28% |
| Healthcare | $420 | $133 | +216% |
| Monthly Total | $2,780 | $2,686 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Huntsville offers 49% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Huntsville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Huntsville is estimated at
$58,000 vs $67,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Huntsville | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $69,000 | $46,308 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $67,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 54,480 idx |
| Household Income | $68,900 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Huntsville runs warmer on average — a 62.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Huntsville comes out ahead with 213 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Huntsville sees 2.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Huntsville | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 55.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 213 | |
| Humidity | 67.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Huntsville 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 | Huntsville | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 43.2/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.5/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 46.10 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Huntsville is the larger city
— approximately 6.8x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Huntsville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Huntsville | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 225,564 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.90% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $38.7B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Huntsville
Advantages
Strong aerospace job market
Affordable cost of living
Drawbacks
Limited transit options
Aiken
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Aiken is approximately 15% lower than the U.S. average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs are significantly lower, estimated to be 36% below the national average.
Aiken Regional Medical Centers consistently receives 'A' safety grades and 'High Performing' ratings, indicating high-quality healthcare.
The city boasts a rich equestrian culture and numerous outdoor recreational opportunities, including Hitchcock Woods.
Aiken has a stable job market with a 1.13% employment growth rate from 2023 to 2024.
Drawbacks
Public transportation is limited, with less than 1% of residents using it, leading to high car dependency.
Utility costs in Aiken can be slightly higher than the national average.
Summers in Aiken are hot and muggy, with high humidity levels.
The average monthly net salary of $2,917 is lower than the national average.
While generally safe, a specific 'Safety index' was reported as 30, which might indicate areas for improvement in certain crime metrics.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Huntsville
#2Alabama, USA
86.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$69,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
43.2/10
Walkability
39.5/10
Sunny Days
213/yr
Avg Temp
62.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.90%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
85
Business
90
Aiken
#19South Carolina, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,333
Avg Salary
$46,308
Cost Index
85
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
74
Business
68
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