Performance
Score Breakdown
Mount Pearl
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mount Pearl is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
37% lower compared to Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mount Pearl's average rent is
42% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Mount Pearl | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $814 | $1,400 | -42% |
| Groceries | $350 | $400 | -13% |
| Utilities | $150 | $236 | -36% |
| Transport | $100 | $120 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $250 | -60% |
| Monthly Total | $1,514 | $2,406 | -37% |
| Cost Index | 68 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Mount Pearl | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $55,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Mount Pearl | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 82.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mount Pearl has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Aiken 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 | Mount Pearl | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 10.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 32.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aiken is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Mount Pearl.
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 | Mount Pearl | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,469 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.84% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 45.1 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 10.00% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mount Pearl
Advantages
Mount Pearl's crime rates are 28% lower than the Newfoundland and Labrador average, contributing to a safe community environment.
The average rent for an apartment in Mount Pearl is 38% below the Canadian national average, offering significant affordability in housing.
The city boasts a central location, providing short commutes to major centers like downtown St. John's, the Health Science Centre, and Memorial University.
Mount Pearl is recognized for its family-friendly lifestyle, featuring numerous playgrounds, walking trails, and extensive recreational facilities like the Summit Centre.
The city has an 'open for business' policy with tax incentives, fostering a thriving business sector and supporting growth in various industries.
Drawbacks
Mount Pearl does not have its own hospital, requiring residents to travel to St. John's for acute care.
The city has limited public transit options and a low transit access score, making car dependency medium to high.
The unemployment rate in Mount Pearl was 10% as of a 2024 estimate, which is higher than the national average.
The median household income data available is from 2020, making it difficult to assess current income levels accurately.
Housing demand currently outstrips supply, although the city is investing in new developments to address this.
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.
Mount Pearl
#6Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$814
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
68
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
32.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
10.00%
Livability
79
Business
72
Aiken
#53South Carolina, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$65,884
Cost Index
89
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
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