City Comparison
Qena Center vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Qena Center scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Qena Center
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Qena Center is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
85% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Qena Center's average rent is
90% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Qena Center | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $140 | $1,400 | -90% |
| Groceries | $110 | $400 | -73% |
| Utilities | $25 | $236 | -89% |
| Transport | $30 | $120 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $45 | $250 | -82% |
| Monthly Total | $350 | $2,406 | -85% |
| Cost Index | 32 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 100% 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 Qena Center is estimated at
$190 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Qena Center | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $220 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $190 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 688 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $3,100 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Qena Center | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 35.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Qena Center has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Qena Center scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Qena Center leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Qena Center | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Qena Center is the larger city
— approximately 7.5x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Qena Center 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 | Qena Center | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,000 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 26.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 6.50% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Qena Center
Advantages
Cost of living is substantially lower than the national average, especially for local housing and agricultural produce.
Rich historical and cultural environment featuring proximity to major antiquities like the Dendera Temple.
Strong community safety profile with low rates of violent crime and high social cohesion.
Strategic location along Upper Egypt transport corridors with reliable rail connectivity.
Expanding regional healthcare infrastructure anchored by South Valley University hospitals.
Drawbacks
Lower average local salaries and household incomes compared to Greater Cairo and Alexandria.
Limited high-tech job market and remote work corporate infrastructure.
Hot desert climate with extreme summer temperatures requiring heavy cooling adaptations.
Fewer options for large-scale commercial entertainment, retail malls, and leisure venues.
Poverty rates in the broader governorate remain higher than national coastal averages.
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.
Qena Center
#112Qena, Egypt
72.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$140
Avg Salary
$220
Cost Index
32
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
68
Business
58
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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