Performance
Score Breakdown
Yorkton
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yorkton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
39% lower compared to Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Yorkton's average rent is
42% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Yorkton | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $806 | $1,400 | -42% |
| Groceries | $325 | $400 | -19% |
| Utilities | $150 | $236 | -36% |
| Transport | $80 | $120 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $250 | -60% |
| Monthly Total | $1,461 | $2,406 | -39% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 45% 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 Yorkton is estimated at
$32,711 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Yorkton | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $36,173 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $32,711 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,676 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $54,720 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Yorkton | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Yorkton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
For walkability, Aiken leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Yorkton | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aiken is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Yorkton.
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 | Yorkton | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,723 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.03% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 7.50% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Yorkton
Advantages
The cost of living in Yorkton is significantly lower than in Canada's larger metropolitan areas, making it more affordable for residents.
Yorkton boasts a high quality of life, with 75% of residents rating it at least a 7 out of 10 in a recent survey.
The city is considered an excellent place to raise a family due to its safe environment, quality schools, and numerous recreational facilities.
Housing is affordable, with average rents for apartments being considerably lower than the national average.
The economy is diversified across agriculture, manufacturing, retail, and healthcare, providing a stable job market.
Drawbacks
Walkability and access to public transit are limited, often requiring residents to rely on personal vehicles for amenities.
Community feedback suggests that crime rates per 100,000 people may be perceived as high, impacting the sense of safety for some residents.
The Health Care Index is moderate, and the availability of certain health-related facilities beyond the main hospital may be limited.
While the city is growing, the median age is slightly higher, which could indicate a less vibrant youth demographic compared to larger cities.
Specific data for certain cost breakdowns (e.g., home purchase per sq ft, detailed utility costs) is not readily available from recent sources, making precise budgeting challenging.
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.
Yorkton
#13Saskatchewan, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$806
Avg Salary
$36,173
Cost Index
70
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.03%
Unemployment
7.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
Aiken
#54South Carolina, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$65,884
Cost Index
89
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
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