Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Aiken, SC

    Is Aiken a good place to live?

    Watch Aiken

    Aiken ranks #9 of 22 South Carolina cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (55/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 1.0% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $261,800
    +11.2% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,199
    per month
    Household income
    $69,837
    median
    Unemployment
    4.7%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Aiken

    The median home value in Aiken is $261,800 and median rent is $1,199 a month, against a median household income of $69,837. Homes cost about 3.7× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Aiken crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across South Carolina the 2025 rate was 389 violent and 1,715 property crimes per 100,000 people — #17 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Aiken, SC

    Aiken has about 32,334 residents, 4.7% unemployment and 27% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Aiken with

    Aiken vs CharlestonAiken vs ColumbiaAiken vs North CharlestonAiken vs Mount PleasantAiken vs Rock HillAiken vs GreenvilleAiken vs SummervilleAiken vs Goose Creek

    More: Where to move in South Carolina · Best counties in South Carolina

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report