City Comparison
Boulder City vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Boulder City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Boulder City
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Boulder City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Tigard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Boulder City's average rent is
17% lower than Tigard's.
| Metric | Boulder City | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,495 | $1,800 | -17% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,445 | $2,800 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 14% 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 Boulder City is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Boulder City | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,647 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,997 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $74,757 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Boulder City runs warmer on average — a 69°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Boulder City comes out ahead with 339 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Boulder City sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Boulder City | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 69.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 101.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 40.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 5.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 339 | |
| Humidity | 25.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
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 | Boulder City | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tigard is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Boulder City.
From a growth perspective, Tigard is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Boulder City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Boulder City | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,919 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.09% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 53.5 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Boulder City
Advantages
Strict municipal growth ordinances protect the town's historic charm and prevent over-urbanization per the City of Boulder City.
Proximity to Lake Mead National Recreation Area provides world-class boating, hiking, and outdoor recreation right next door per Census data.
Significantly lower crime rates and higher safety scores compared to nearby Las Vegas and regional averages per federal crime reports.
A peaceful, non-gambling environment offering a quiet residential escape from the neon and noise of the Las Vegas Strip per municipal code.
Active local community engagement with robust volunteerism, local parks, and dedicated community programming per Data USA.
Drawbacks
Limited housing inventory and strict growth caps drive up property values and home purchase prices per Zillow and U.S. Census data.
An older median age profile (53.5 years) results in fewer dynamic nightlife options and family-oriented entertainment venues per Census metrics.
High car dependency with limited public transportation options for commuting outside municipal boundaries per regional transit studies.
Extreme summer high temperatures exceeding 100°F restrict outdoor daytime activities during peak summer months per Open-Meteo climate data.
Local employment options within city limits are relatively scarce, requiring many residents to commute to Henderson or Las Vegas per local economic reports.
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.
Boulder City
#231Nevada, USA
62.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,495
Avg Salary
$55,647
Cost Index
105
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
339/yr
Avg Temp
69.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.09%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
78
Business
65
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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