City Comparison
Ames vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ames scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ames
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ames is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Tigard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ames's average rent is
42% lower than Tigard's.
| Metric | Ames | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,800 | -42% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $160 | $180 | -11% |
| Transport | $100 | $120 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,920 | $2,800 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Ames delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Ames is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Ames | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ames runs warmer on average — a 51.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ames comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ames sees 28.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ames | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 14.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ames has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Tigard.
Ames scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tigard leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ames | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ames is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Tigard.
From a growth perspective, Tigard is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ames has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ames | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,439 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 24.8 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ames
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest mid-sized cities in the United States per FBI crime data.
Home to Iowa State University, providing world-class cultural events, Division I athletics, and continuing education.
Extensive network of parks, natural areas, and over 55 miles of paved bicycle and pedestrian trails.
Strong local economy anchored by education, biotech research, and healthcare with steady job growth.
Highly rated public school district with excellent graduation rates and student resources.
Drawbacks
Rental market can be competitive and subject to price surges driven by the academic calendar.
Winters bring harsh temperatures and significant snowfall requiring robust municipal snow removal.
Local sales and property taxes in Iowa can feel relatively high compared to some neighboring states.
Public transportation options outside of the core CyRide routes are somewhat limited.
Proximity to a major airport requires a 40-minute drive to Des Moines International.
Tigard
Advantages
Tigard boasts a strong economy with a high number of local jobs and a short commute to major employment centers like Silicon Forest and downtown Portland.
The city offers an exceptional quality of life, with a livability score of 87 out of 100, ranking in the 99th percentile of all US cities.
Tigard provides abundant green spaces, including over 16 miles of paved trails and nearly 550 acres of parks, such as Cook Park and the Fanno Creek Trail.
Healthcare and utilities costs are lower than in most U.S. cities, contributing to overall affordability despite higher housing costs.
The public schools in Tigard are highly rated, making it a desirable location for families.
Drawbacks
Tigard has a higher overall crime rate compared to the national average, primarily driven by property crime in commercial areas.
The cost of living in Tigard is significantly higher than the national average, particularly due to housing expenses.
Traffic congestion on major routes like US 217 and Highway 99W can be very heavy during rush hour.
Despite public transit options, Tigard is largely car-dependent, with limited light rail access in many areas.
Some commercial corridors in Tigard can feel dated, and the city may have a less distinct community identity compared to some other suburbs.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Ames
#100Iowa, USA
67.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
51.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
82
Business
74
Tigard
#505Oregon, USA
52.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
121
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
87
Business
68
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Ames and Tigard.
Open Cost Calculator