Aiken, SC vs Beaufort, SC

Aiken, SC and Beaufort, SC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.6% difference in their overall index. Aiken scores 90 while Beaufort scores 91 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Aiken is $1,199/month compared to $1,061/month in Beaufort — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Beaufort has cheaper rent, Aiken actually has lower median home values ($261,800 vs $310,400).

Median household income in Aiken is $69,837 compared to $59,454 in Beaufort (+17.5%). Aiken offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Aiken spend roughly 20.6% of their income on rent, less than the 21.4% in Beaufort.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (65.4°F vs 67.2°F). Beaufort receives more rainfall at 45" per year compared to 44.1" in Aiken.