City Comparison
Portage la Prairie vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Portage la Prairie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Portage la Prairie
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Portage la Prairie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Portage la Prairie's average rent is
36% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Portage la Prairie | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $900 | $1,400 | -36% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $160 | $236 | -32% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $1,770 | $2,406 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 21% 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 Portage la Prairie is estimated at
$42,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Portage la Prairie | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,415 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $58,000 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Portage la Prairie runs warmer on average — a 39.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Portage la Prairie comes out ahead with 278 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Portage la Prairie sees 25.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Portage la Prairie | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 39.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | -4.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 278 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Portage la Prairie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Portage la Prairie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Portage la Prairie leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Portage la Prairie | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aiken is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Portage la Prairie.
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 | Portage la Prairie | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,500 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 5.40% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Portage la Prairie
Advantages
Affordable housing market with home prices significantly below the national average per Statistics Canada data.
Major industrial expansions by companies like Roquette and J.R. Simplot drive local job growth.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around Island Park and Crescent Lake.
Strategic location along the Trans-Canada Highway providing easy access to Winnipeg.
Strong sense of community with numerous local festivals and family-oriented events.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit infrastructure.
Winters feature severe cold temperatures and significant frost conditions.
Property crime rates slightly exceed national averages for small cities.
Limited high-end dining and entertainment options within city limits.
Healthcare sector faces occasional staffing pressures typical of rural regional centers.
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.
Portage la Prairie
#29British Columbia, Canada
65.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$900
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
278/yr
Avg Temp
39.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
5.40%
Livability
73
Business
69
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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