City Comparison
Independence vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Independence scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Independence
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Independence | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,400 | +4% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $236 | -26% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,415 | $2,406 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Independence offers 3% higher 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 Independence is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Independence | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,833 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $82,500 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Independence runs warmer on average — a 54.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Independence comes out ahead with 238 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Independence sees 23.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Independence | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 23.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 48.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aiken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Independence.
For walkability, Aiken leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Independence | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aiken is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Independence.
From a growth perspective, Independence 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 | Independence | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,079 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Independence
Advantages
Violent and property crime rates are significantly lower than the national average per FBI crime data.
Median home prices offer better square footage value compared to downtown Cincinnati and nearby major hubs.
Access to well-maintained local parks and recreation spaces, including Memorial Park.
Consistent and strong community safety profile ideal for raising families and retirees.
Proximity to the Greater Cincinnati job market while maintaining a quiet suburban atmosphere.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options within city limits.
Limited local nightlife and high-end dining options directly inside the city.
Commuting during peak rush hours along major corridors like US-17 can experience delays.
Inventory for rental apartments can be competitive due to high demand for single-family homes.
Local commercial development is still expanding, requiring travel outside the city for major retail shopping.
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.
Independence
#45Kentucky, USA
70.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
54.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
80
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
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