Aiken, SC vs North Myrtle Beach, SC

Aiken is moderately more affordable than North Myrtle Beach, with a 9.2% lower cost of living index. Aiken scores 90 compared to 99 for North Myrtle Beach, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of North Myrtle Beach can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Aiken is $1,199/month compared to $1,171/month in North Myrtle Beach — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while North Myrtle Beach has cheaper rent, Aiken actually has lower median home values ($261,800 vs $371,900).

Median household income in Aiken is $69,837 compared to $72,111 in North Myrtle Beach (-3.2%). North Myrtle Beach does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Aiken spend roughly 20.6% of their income on rent, more than the 19.5% in North Myrtle Beach.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (65.4°F vs 64°F). North Myrtle Beach receives more rainfall at 48.5" per year compared to 44.1" in Aiken.