City Comparison
Newark vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Newark scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Newark
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Newark.
Housing costs are a major driver: Newark's average rent is
18% higher than Aiken's.
| Metric | Newark | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,649 | $1,400 | +18% |
| Groceries | $409 | $400 | +2% |
| Utilities | $371 | $236 | +57% |
| Transport | $351 | $120 | +193% |
| Healthcare | $139 | $250 | -44% |
| Monthly Total | $2,919 | $2,406 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 23% 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 Newark is estimated at
$51,960 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Newark | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,024 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $51,960 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 48,136 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $76,912 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Newark | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Newark has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Newark scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Newark leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Newark | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aiken is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Newark.
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 | Newark | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 30,311 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 22.1 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Newark
Advantages
Home to Christiana Hospital, Delaware's only Level I trauma center, ensuring high-quality healthcare access.
The University of Delaware provides extensive educational opportunities and a vibrant cultural scene.
Median household income of $76,912 in 2024 is competitive.
Relatively affordable compared to nearby major metropolitan areas like Philadelphia and New York.
Average commute time is relatively short at 19 minutes.
Drawbacks
The city's population is projected to be declining at an annual rate of -0.16% in 2026.
Newark has a high poverty rate of 27.73%.
Housing costs are 10.5% higher than the national average.
The median age of 22.1 years suggests a transient student population, potentially impacting long-term community stability.
Utilities and groceries are slightly more expensive than the national average.
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.
Newark
#162Delaware, USA
64.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,649
Avg Salary
$51,024
Cost Index
106
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
74
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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