Aiken, SC vs Irmo, SC

Aiken, SC and Irmo, SC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.7% difference in their overall index. Aiken scores 90 while Irmo 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 $1,412/month in Irmo — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Aiken has cheaper rent, Irmo actually has lower median home values ($193,100 vs $261,800).

Median household income in Aiken is $69,837 compared to $85,137 in Irmo (-18%). While Irmo is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Aiken spend roughly 20.6% of their income on rent, more than the 19.9% in Irmo.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (65.4°F vs 64.3°F). Irmo receives more rainfall at 45.2" per year compared to 44.1" in Aiken.