Rows tagged local are specific to Aiken (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Augusta, GA. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 4/10 (district Aiken 01 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
91.2
metro-area
#44 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
96.2
metro-area
#75 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.19
metro-area
#40 of 200 metros
Median household income
$65,712
local
#2392 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$36,773
local
#2438 of 3,220 cities
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
3.90%
local
#1008 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+5.7%
local
#1174 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$235,500
local
#889 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.6×
local
#1355 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+2.8%
metro-area
#59 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$118
local
#742 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,999 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,093
local
#648 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
2,740
Median days on market
25
metro-area
#140 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
8.9%
state
#27 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
7.44%
state
#99 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
6.20%
Capital gains tax
6.40%
state
#125 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
0.48%
local
#141 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$1,121
local
#154 of 3,220 cities
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,500
state
#32 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$8,500
state
#37 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$40
state
#4 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
2.33% of value (~$652/yr)
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
6
Avg commute to work
23 min
local
#751 of 3,220 cities
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
17.1¢/kWh
state
#41 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$154
state
#41 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.05/gal
state
#57 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$56
state
#133 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$97
state
#138 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#190 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,000
state
#124 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,900
state
#86 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$900
state
#61 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$350
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
52
metro-area
#151 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,800
metro-area
#134 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
2,800
metro-area
#76 of 200 metros
Avg summer high
89°F
metro-area
#113 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
34°F
metro-area
#76 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
50.4"
metro-area
#158 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
2.2"
metro-area
#72 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
60%
metro-area
#85 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
8a
Frost window
03-10 → 11-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
530
state
#65 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,900
state
#83 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
20
metro-area
#169 of 200 metros
Parks
13
Hiking areas
2
Golf courses
8
Shooting ranges
2
Lakes
1
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.