Aiken, SC vs Ankeny, IA
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
Ankeny
77.6
#226 nationally
Ankeny leads in crime level (4.5 vs 15.6). Ankeny leads in median household income ($101,151 vs $65,712). Ankeny leads in walk score (34 vs 24).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Aiken, SC | Ankeny, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.5 (#1191) | 77.6 (#226) |
| Population | 32,947 | 74,458 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $281,439 | $341,196 |
| Median Household Income | $65,712 | $101,151 |
| Average Commute | 23.2 min | 21.1 min |
| Walk Score | 24 | 34 |
| Crime Level | 15.6 | 4.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 105 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+25.9 | D+10.9 |
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 →
C+
77.6 Score
Ankeny, IA
Iowa community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$341,196
Population
74,458
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
34
Midwest
View Ankeny, IA →