Performance
Score Breakdown
Aswan
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aswan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
55% lower compared to Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aswan's average rent is
90% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Aswan | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $136 | $1,400 | -90% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $236 | -24% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,086 | $2,406 | -55% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 100% 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 Aswan is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Aswan | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $163 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 172 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $62,000 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aswan | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 26.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aiken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Aswan.
Aswan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aswan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Aswan | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aswan is the larger city
— approximately 11.1x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Aswan 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 | Aswan | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 370,000 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aswan
Advantages
Exceptional quality of life at affordable costs, with living expenses significantly lower than Cairo and Alexandria [9].
Year-round pleasant climate with minimal rainfall and abundant sunshine, ideal for outdoor activities [9].
Tranquil pace of life and a relaxed atmosphere, offering a peaceful lifestyle [9].
Rich Nubian heritage and proximity to world-renowned archaeological sites like Abu Simbel and Philae Temple [9].
Affordable housing options, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costing around $136 per month [40].
Drawbacks
Solo female travelers may experience consistent harassment [27].
Summers are extremely hot, with average high temperatures consistently above 40°C (104°F) [3].
Limited job opportunities outside of tourism and agriculture compared to larger Egyptian cities.
Public transportation can be slow, and taxis require fare negotiation [11, 13].
An E. coli outbreak occurred in September 2024, raising concerns about water quality in some areas [44].
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.
Aswan
#1Cairo, Egypt
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$136
Avg Salary
$163
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
Aiken
#62South 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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