City Comparison
State College vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Aiken scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
State College
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 State College.
Housing costs are a major driver: State College's average rent is
32% higher than Aiken's.
| Metric | State College | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,400 | +32% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $236 | -24% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,850 | $2,406 | +18% |
| Cost Index | 119 | 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 State College is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | State College | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,622 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $45,424 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
State College runs warmer on average — a 50.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, State College comes out ahead with 244 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — State College sees 18.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | State College | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 36.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 244 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
State College has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
State College scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, State College leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | State College | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
State College is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Aiken.
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 | State College | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 41,050 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.21% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 21.2 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
State College
Advantages
High walkability score, with many errands accomplishable on foot in the downtown area.
Strong educational environment due to the presence of Pennsylvania State University.
Vibrant cultural scene with numerous festivals, arts events, and entertainment venues.
Lower than national average violent crime rate, contributing to a generally safe environment.
Affordable home care options compared to the state average.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing costs.
The median age in the borough is very low (21.2), indicating a significant student population which may influence the city's overall character and services.
While the borough is walkable, surrounding areas may have higher car dependency.
Crime rate is higher than the Pennsylvania state average, though lower than the national average for some metrics.
Median household income in the borough is significantly lower than the national average.
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.
State College
#576Pennsylvania, USA
46.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
119
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
244/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.21%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
86
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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