City Comparison
North Charleston vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Aiken scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
North Charleston
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in North Charleston.
Housing costs are a major driver: North Charleston's average rent is
34% higher than Aiken's.
| Metric | North Charleston | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,870 | $1,400 | +34% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $236 | -24% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,870 | $2,406 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 1% 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 North Charleston is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | North Charleston | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $62,956 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | North Charleston | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | North Charleston | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 26.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 39.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
North Charleston is the larger city
— approximately 4x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, North Charleston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | North Charleston | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 131,980 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.12% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.30% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
North Charleston
Advantages
More affordable housing and cost of living compared to downtown Charleston.
Growing job market with diverse industries like aerospace, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Strategic location with excellent access to major transportation routes and the Port of Charleston.
Good quality of life with a variety of amenities, entertainment, and recreational opportunities.
Slight moderation in price growth in the housing market, leading to a more balanced environment for buyers.
Drawbacks
Higher crime rates compared to the South Carolina and national averages.
Car-dependent transportation system with lower walkability and transit scores.
Wages have not kept pace with the rapid increase in rental costs in some areas.
While stabilizing, the housing market has seen significant price appreciation in recent years.
Some population groups face greater challenges accessing employment within the city.
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.
North Charleston
#514South Carolina, USA
51.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,870
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
26.0/100
Walkability
39.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.12%
Unemployment
3.30%
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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