Aiken, SC vs Washington, DC
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
Washington
66.2
#1580 nationally
Washington leads in walk score (98 vs 24). Aiken leads in cost of living index (101 vs 181). Aiken leads in crime level (15.6 vs 25.4).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Aiken, SC | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.5 (#1191) | 66.2 (#1580) |
| Population | 32,947 | 678,972 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $281,439 | $576,796 |
| Median Household Income | $65,712 | $101,722 |
| Average Commute | 23.2 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 24 | 98 |
| Crime Level | 15.6 | 25.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+25.9 | D+86.1 |
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
66.2 Score
Washington, DC
Major District of Columbia city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$576,796
Population
678,972
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
98
Northeast
View Washington, DC →