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Balik Pulau vs Tigard

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Penang (Pulau Pinang), Malaysia
View Balik Pulau profile
#21 in Malaysia
80
Overall Score
VS
Oregon, USA
View Tigard profile
#505 in USA
52
Overall Score
Balik Pulau scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Balik Pulau
Tigard
Livability
78
87
Affordability
85
40
Business
65
68
Growth
72
70

Cost of Living

Balik Pulau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 56% lower than in Tigard. Housing costs are a major driver: Balik Pulau's average rent is 64% lower than Tigard's.
MetricBalik PulauTigardDiff
Average Rent
$650$1,800-64%
Groceries
$300$450-33%
Utilities
$75$180-58%
Transport
$100$120-17%
Healthcare
$110$250-56%
Monthly Total
$1,235$2,800-56%
Cost Index
42121out of 100

Salary & Income

Tigard offers 66% lower average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tigard delivers stronger purchasing power — meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day. The minimum comfortable salary in Balik Pulau is estimated at $18,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
MetricBalik PulauTigard
Average Salary
$22,000$65,000
Salary Needed
$18,000$55,000
Purchasing Power
52,381 idx53,719 idx
Household Income
$23,000$108,823

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricBalik PulauTigard
Avg Temp
°F°F
Summer High
°F°F
Winter Low
°F°F
Rainfall
in in
Snowfall
in in
Sunny Days
Humidity
82.00%73.00%

Commute & Transport

Tigard has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Balik Pulau. For walkability, Tigard leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricBalik PulauTigard
Commute Time
32 min23 min
Transit Score
40.0/10040.0/100
Walkability
52.0/10070.0/100
Traffic Index
48.0060.00
Car Dependency
HighHigh

Economy & Demographics

Tigard is the larger city . From a growth perspective, Balik Pulau is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Balik Pulau has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricBalik PulauTigard
Population
55,00056,011
Pop. Growth
1.30%1.00%
Median Age
37.039.4
Unemployment
3.20%4.20%
GDP
——

Pros & Cons

Balik Pulau
Advantages
Southwest district median household income sits at a competitive RM8,919 per month, outperforming many national benchmarks.
Housing and rental costs are substantially lower than central George Town and the eastern coastlines.
Surrounded by lush natural scenery, fresh air, and famous agricultural heritage including orchards and paddy fields.
Upcoming private specialist hospital project slated for 2028 will greatly enhance local healthcare access.
Low crime rates and a strong community-centric, safe living environment.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure for daily commuting.
Commuting across the central hills to major employment hubs like Bayan Lepas can experience peak-hour bottlenecks.
Fewer entertainment, nightlife, and high-rise commercial retail options compared to eastern Penang.
Specialized medical treatments currently require traveling off-site to regional hospitals in George Town.
Vulnerability of arterial mountain roadways to occasional weather-related disruptions during heavy monsoon seasons.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Balik Pulau
#21
Penang (Pulau Pinang), Malaysia
80.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$22,000
Cost Index
42
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
78
Business
65
View Full Profile
Tigard
#505
Oregon, 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
View Full Profile

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