Performance
Score Breakdown
Montes Claros
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Montes Claros is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
65% lower compared to Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Montes Claros's average rent is
78% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Montes Claros | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $304 | $1,400 | -78% |
| Groceries | $344 | $400 | -14% |
| Utilities | $67 | $236 | -72% |
| Transport | $52 | $120 | -57% |
| Healthcare | $75 | $250 | -70% |
| Monthly Total | $842 | $2,406 | -65% |
| Cost Index | 63 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 99% 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 Montes Claros is estimated at
$10,200 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Montes Claros | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $406 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $10,200 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 644 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $4,872 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Montes Claros | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Montes Claros has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
12,000 minutes (200 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Aiken 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 | Montes Claros | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Montes Claros is the larger city
— approximately 13.3x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Montes Claros 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 | Montes Claros | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 443,380 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.32% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 46.6 | |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $2.6B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Montes Claros
Advantages
Montes Claros is classified as the 5th city in Minas Gerais with the best quality of life, scoring 68.79 in the IPS Brasil 2024 index.
The city's cost of living is approximately 37% lower than the global median, making it highly affordable.
The pharmaceutical industry is a strong growth sector, attracting significant investments and creating jobs.
Montes Claros has a robust entrepreneurial climate, ranking among the top cities in Brazil for business due to high diversification and growth.
The city is a regional healthcare hub with major hospitals, including Santa Casa Montes Claros, recognized for its quality.
Drawbacks
Despite a decrease in violent crimes and homicides, robberies in Montes Claros increased by 20% between 2019 and 2024.
The average monthly net salary in Montes Claros is relatively low at $406, which is below the national GDP per capita.
The city faces challenges in business survival and density, indicating potential difficulties for new enterprises.
Montes Claros experienced difficulties with pediatric bed availability in 2024, highlighting a strain on healthcare resources.
Specific data on median age and comprehensive public transit/walkability scores are not readily available for recent years.
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.
Montes Claros
#1Minas Gerais, Brazil
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$304
Avg Salary
$406
Cost Index
63
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.32%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
69
Business
75
Aiken
#50South 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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