City Comparison
Tempe vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Aiken scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tempe
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Tempe.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tempe's average rent is
39% higher than Aiken's.
| Metric | Tempe | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,939 | $1,400 | +39% |
| Groceries | $440 | $400 | +10% |
| Utilities | $195 | $236 | -17% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,929 | $2,406 | +22% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tempe offers 15% higher 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 Tempe is estimated at
$62,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Tempe | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,381 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $79,663 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Tempe runs warmer on average — a 76.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Tempe comes out ahead with 327 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Tempe sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Tempe | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 106.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 47.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 15.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 327 | |
| Humidity | 31.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tempe has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Tempe 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 | Tempe | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tempe is the larger city
— approximately 5.7x 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 | Tempe | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,571 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.53% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 30.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tempe
Advantages
Median property value in Tempe stands at $455,400 with steady regional appreciation per U.S. Census data.
Exceptional multi-modal transit featuring the Valley Metro Light Rail and free Orbit circulators connecting directly to Sky Harbor Airport.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around Tempe Town Lake, Hayden Butte, and over 320 sunny days per year.
Thriving high-tech and educational economy driven by Arizona State University and major corporate employers.
Vibrant dining, arts, and cultural scene anchored by Downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue establishments.
Drawbacks
Intense summer heat with average daily highs exceeding 106°F requires high seasonal cooling expenditures.
Average monthly rent of $1,939 creates affordability challenges for lower-income renters and entry-level workers.
Property crime rates, particularly bicycle and vehicle thefts, are elevated around high-density student and entertainment zones.
Housing inventory for single-family homes is competitive, leading to fast-paced bidding and limited starter inventory.
Traffic congestion during peak university semesters and major stadium events impacts primary arterial corridors.
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.
Tempe
#412Arizona, USA
57.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,939
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
54.0/100
Sunny Days
327/yr
Avg Temp
76.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.53%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
79
Business
80
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Tempe and Aiken.
Open Cost Calculator