Performance
Score Breakdown
Aiken
Nashville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nashville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1% higher compared to Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aiken's average rent is
21% lower than Nashville's.
| Metric | Aiken | Nashville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,333 | $1,684 | -21% |
| Groceries | $670 | $400 | +68% |
| Utilities | $300 | $260 | +15% |
| Transport | $250 | $180 | +39% |
| Healthcare | $133 | $140 | -5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,686 | $2,664 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nashville offers 50% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Nashville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Aiken is estimated at
$67,000 vs $67,356 in Nashville.
| Metric | Aiken | Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,308 | $93,454 |
| Salary Needed | $67,000 | $67,356 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,480 idx | 97,348 idx |
| Household Income | $76,746 | $77,371 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aiken | Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aiken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Nashville.
Nashville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Aiken | Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Nashville is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Aiken is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Nashville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Aiken | Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,306 | 712,581 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.54% |
| Median Age | 46.6 | 34.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aiken
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Aiken is approximately 15% lower than the U.S. average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs are significantly lower, estimated to be 36% below the national average.
Aiken Regional Medical Centers consistently receives 'A' safety grades and 'High Performing' ratings, indicating high-quality healthcare.
The city boasts a rich equestrian culture and numerous outdoor recreational opportunities, including Hitchcock Woods.
Aiken has a stable job market with a 1.13% employment growth rate from 2023 to 2024.
Drawbacks
Public transportation is limited, with less than 1% of residents using it, leading to high car dependency.
Utility costs in Aiken can be slightly higher than the national average.
Summers in Aiken are hot and muggy, with high humidity levels.
The average monthly net salary of $2,917 is lower than the national average.
While generally safe, a specific 'Safety index' was reported as 30, which might indicate areas for improvement in certain crime metrics.
Nashville
Advantages
Nashville's metro area unemployment rate of 3.0% (March 2026) is well below the national average, indicating a robust job market.
The city's cost of living index of 95.9 (March 2026) makes it approximately 4.1% more affordable than the national average.
Nashville experienced a job growth rate of 1.1% through September 2025, ranking it among the top U.S. metros for employment growth.
Violent offenses in Nashville were down nearly 14% and property crime decreased by almost 12% in 2025 compared to 2024, with homicides at their lowest in a decade.
Tennessee has no state income tax, which can be a significant financial advantage for residents.
Drawbacks
Nashville experiences significant traffic congestion, ranking 27th worst globally and 11th in the U.S. in 2025, with drivers losing an average of 63 hours annually.
Summers in Nashville are hot and muggy, with high humidity levels, which can be uncomfortable for some residents.
Housing costs are rising, with median home prices at $475,000 (July 2025) and average rents increasing, making affordability a growing concern.
The city's public transportation system is not as readily accessible as in other major cities, contributing to high car dependency.
Despite recent improvements, Nashville's overall crime rate of 57.31 per 1,000 people (2024 data) places it in a moderate safety range, with some areas having elevated crime.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Aiken
#19South Carolina, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,333
Avg Salary
$46,308
Cost Index
85
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
74
Business
68
Nashville
#31Tennessee, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,684
Avg Salary
$93,454
Cost Index
96
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.54%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
70
Business
75
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Aiken and Nashville.
Open Cost Calculator