City Comparison
Puerto Williams vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and South Atlantic Islands, Argentina
View Puerto Williams profile #129 in Argentina
61
Overall Score
VS
Puerto Williams scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Puerto Williams
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Puerto Williams is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
42% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Puerto Williams's average rent is
54% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Puerto Williams | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,400 | -54% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $150 | $236 | -36% |
| Transport | $80 | $120 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $250 | -60% |
| Monthly Total | $1,400 | $2,406 | -42% |
| Cost Index | 115 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 98% 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 Puerto Williams is estimated at
$1,300 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Puerto Williams | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $1,100 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $1,300 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 957 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $15,000 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Puerto Williams | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Puerto Williams has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Aiken scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Puerto Williams leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Puerto Williams | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 10 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 75.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 15.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aiken is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Puerto Williams.
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 | Puerto Williams | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,874 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 6.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Puerto Williams
Advantages
Unmatched natural beauty and proximity to pristine sub-antarctic wilderness and the Dientes de Navarino treks
Exceptionally low crime rate and strong community security anchored by the local naval presence
Unique status as the southernmost city in the world, offering high prestige for eco-tourism and scientific research
Rich cultural heritage connected to the Indigenous Yaghan people and maritime exploration history
Clean air, unpolluted waterways, and abundant opportunities for sport fishing and outdoor recreation
Drawbacks
High cost of living and imported goods due to extreme geographic isolation and freight logistics
Severe and unpredictable sub-polar weather with long, cold, and windy winters
Very limited housing inventory and high costs for construction or long-term rentals
Restricted healthcare facilities requiring medical evacuation to the mainland for specialized care
Limited commercial dining, shopping, and entertainment infrastructure compared to mainland urban 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.
Puerto Williams
#129Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and South Atlantic Islands, Argentina
60.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$1,100
Cost Index
115
Commute
10 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
75.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
6.20%
Livability
72
Business
52
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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