Performance
Score Breakdown
Gatineau
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gatineau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
6% lower compared to Aiken.
| Metric | Gatineau | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,353 | $1,400 | -3% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $236 | -24% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,273 | $2,406 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 1% 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 Gatineau is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Gatineau | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $82,000 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gatineau | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 78.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aiken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Gatineau.
Gatineau 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 | Gatineau | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 37.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gatineau is the larger city
— approximately 9.3x 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 | Gatineau | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,193 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.01% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 40.3 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gatineau
Advantages
Gatineau offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to Ottawa, with an aggregate house price of $438,000 in 2024, approximately $300,000 less than Ottawa.
The city is recognized as one of Canada's most affordable cities, ranking 15th on a list by Royal LePage in 2024.
Gatineau provides a more affordable housing market, with median single-family home prices around $490,000, similar to the previous year, and condos slightly increasing to $312,000.
The city is part of the National Capital Region, offering access to a broad job market and a wide range of industries, particularly in public administration and technology.
Gatineau boasts a rich natural environment with Gatineau Park offering extensive opportunities for outdoor recreation year-round.
Drawbacks
Rental prices in Gatineau have increased, with average rents climbing by 7.6% in 2024, exceeding national inflation and making it difficult to secure affordable housing.
The housing market faces pressure from population growth and migration from Ottawa, leading to low vacancy rates and affordability challenges.
While public transit is available, Gatineau is generally car-dependent, with most errands requiring a vehicle.
Healthcare services in Gatineau may have longer wait times and less robust emergency care compared to Ottawa.
Childcare costs are substantially lower in Gatineau, but there are limited English-speaking education options.
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.
Gatineau
#13Quebec, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,353
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
37.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.01%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
Aiken
#66South 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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