City Comparison
Apple Valley vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Apple Valley scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Apple Valley
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Apple Valley is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Tigard.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,800 | -8% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,800 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Apple Valley offers 11% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Apple Valley delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Apple Valley is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $104,500 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Apple Valley runs warmer on average — a 46.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Apple Valley comes out ahead with 256 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Apple Valley sees 32.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 7.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 32.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 256 | |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tigard has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Apple Valley.
Tigard 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 | Apple Valley | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Apple Valley is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Tigard is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Apple Valley has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,389 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Apple Valley
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $104,000, supporting a strong local economy per Census Bureau data (2024).
Consistently low crime rates make Apple Valley one of the safest suburbs in the Twin Cities metro area.
Home to the nationally renowned Minnesota Zoo, offering exceptional family entertainment locally.
Over 50 municipal parks and extensive trail networks provide outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities.
Highly rated local school district (ISD 196) attracts families seeking top-tier education.
Drawbacks
High housing costs and competitive real estate market limit affordability for first-time buyers per Zillow (2025).
Significant car dependency with limited public transit options outside of peak commuter bus routes.
Cold winter temperatures with frequent snowfall require high winter maintenance and heating costs.
Property taxes in Dakota County can be relatively high compared to national averages.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options within city limits require travel to Minneapolis or St. Paul.
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.
Apple Valley
#131Minnesota, USA
65.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
256/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
80
Business
70
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 Apple Valley and Tigard.
Open Cost Calculator