City Comparison
Bakersfield vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bakersfield scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bakersfield
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bakersfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Tigard.
| Metric | Bakersfield | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,775 | $1,800 | -1% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,695 | $2,800 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bakersfield delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bakersfield is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Bakersfield | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,600 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,000 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $80,540 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bakersfield runs warmer on average — a 68.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bakersfield comes out ahead with 328 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bakersfield sees 4.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bakersfield | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 68.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 101.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 41.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 19.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 4.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Tigard leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bakersfield | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 37.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bakersfield is the larger city
— approximately 7.5x the population of Tigard.
From a growth perspective, Tigard is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Tigard has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bakersfield | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 422,165 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.84% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 8.40% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bakersfield
Advantages
Median home prices in Bakersfield are substantially lower than the California state average, making homeownership accessible.
The city's average commute time of 23.6 minutes is faster and less stressful than major coastal California metro areas.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities are nearby, including the Kern River and Sequoia National Forest.
A rich cultural tapestry featuring vibrant community festivals, historic venues like the Fox Theater, and diverse culinary traditions.
Presence of higher education anchors like California State University, Bakersfield and Bakersfield College driving local workforce talent.
Drawbacks
Summer high temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, leading to heavy reliance on air conditioning and high seasonal utility bills.
Regional air quality in the San Joaquin Valley can experience high particulate pollution during specific weather inversions.
The local unemployment rate trends higher than the national baseline due to seasonal shifts in agriculture and energy sectors.
Property crime rates in certain sections of the city remain higher than the national average.
High car dependency limits public transit utility, requiring personal vehicle ownership for practical daily mobility.
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.
Bakersfield
#457California, USA
55.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,775
Avg Salary
$64,600
Cost Index
95
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
37.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
68.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
8.40%
Livability
74
Business
68
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
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