Aiken, SC vs Phoenix, AZ
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Aiken
69.5
#1191 nationally
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Phoenix leads in walk score (41 vs 24). Aiken leads in average commute (23.2 min vs 26.7 min). Aiken leads in cost of living index (101 vs 106).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Aiken, SC | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.5 (#1191) | 66.7 (#1514) |
| Population | 32,947 | 1,650,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $281,439 | $408,770 |
| Median Household Income | $65,712 | $65,891 |
| Average Commute | 23.2 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 24 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 15.6 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+25.9 | R+3.5 |
D+
69.5 Score
Aiken, SC
Small South Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$281,439
Population
32,947
Crime
High
Walk Score
24
Southeast
View Aiken, SC →
D
66.7 Score
Phoenix, AZ
Valley of the Sun with explosive growth
Median Home
$408,770
Population
1,650,070
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Phoenix, AZ →