City Comparison
Newton vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Aiken scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Newton
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
39% lower than in Newton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Newton's average rent is
104% higher than Aiken's.
| Metric | Newton | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,850 | $1,400 | +104% |
| Groceries | $520 | $400 | +30% |
| Utilities | $210 | $236 | -11% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $3,930 | $2,406 | +63% |
| Cost Index | 158 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Newton offers 40% 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 Newton is estimated at
$78,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Newton | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $92,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $78,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,228 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $160,411 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Newton runs warmer on average — a 50.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Newton comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Newton sees 26.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Newton | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 26.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aiken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Newton.
Newton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Newton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Newton | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Newton is the larger city
— approximately 2.7x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Aiken is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Newton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Newton | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,287 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Newton
Advantages
Newton Public Schools consistently rank among the top-performing school districts in Massachusetts.
Exceptional public safety with violent and property crime rates well below the national average.
Unmatched geographic convenience with direct MBTA rail access and proximity to downtown Boston.
Abundant green spaces, parks, and recreational bodies of water like Crystal Lake and Hammond Pond.
Thriving local village centers offering boutique shopping, diverse dining, and active community life.
Drawbacks
Significantly high cost of living and median home purchase prices exceeding one million dollars.
Heavy rush hour traffic congestion along major commuter corridors like I-90 and Route 128.
High property tax burdens associated with funding top-tier municipal services and schools.
Fiercely competitive housing market with limited rental and starter-home inventory.
Strict zoning and historic preservation regulations can make residential renovations challenging.
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.
Newton
#334Massachusetts, USA
60.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,850
Avg Salary
$92,000
Cost Index
158
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
50.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
92
Business
82
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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