City Comparison
Worcester vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Aiken scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Worcester
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Worcester.
Housing costs are a major driver: Worcester's average rent is
29% higher than Aiken's.
| Metric | Worcester | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,400 | +29% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $236 | -24% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $2,620 | $2,406 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Worcester offers 2% 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 Worcester is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Worcester | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $67,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,526 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $70,102 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Worcester | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 67.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Aiken scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Worcester leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Worcester | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 34.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 56.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 36.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Worcester is the larger city
— approximately 6.2x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Worcester 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 | Worcester | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 207,055 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.40% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Worcester
Advantages
Worcester offers a cost of living that is more affordable than the national average, particularly in housing costs compared to Boston.
The city has a growing job market with strong sectors in healthcare, education, and technology, supported by major employers and research institutions.
Worcester boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene, with numerous theaters, museums, and a diverse culinary landscape.
The median property value in Worcester, while increasing, remains more accessible than in many other Massachusetts municipalities.
Worcester has a Walk Score of 56, indicating that some daily errands can be accomplished on foot, and offers public transit options including MBTA Commuter Rail service to Boston.
Drawbacks
Worcester experienced a significant surge in homicides in 2024, marking the highest number in nearly four years.
While improving, the city's transit score is 34, suggesting that public transportation accessibility and frequency could be enhanced.
The median household income in Worcester ($70,102 in 2024) is lower than the median for Worcester County ($95,900 from 2020-2024).
Worcester's crime trajectory is described as volatile, and it has a higher violent-to-property crime ratio than the national average.
Despite a growing job market, salary growth in Worcester County has lagged behind state and national averages, with notable racial and ethnic disparities in unemployment.
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.
Worcester
#346Massachusetts, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$67,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
34.0/100
Walkability
56.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
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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