City Comparison
Cape Girardeau vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cape Girardeau scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cape Girardeau
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cape Girardeau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
33% lower than in Tigard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cape Girardeau's average rent is
45% lower than Tigard's.
| Metric | Cape Girardeau | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $995 | $1,800 | -45% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $250 | -16% |
| Monthly Total | $1,870 | $2,800 | -33% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 13% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cape Girardeau delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cape Girardeau is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Cape Girardeau | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,680 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,907 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $55,658 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Cape Girardeau runs warmer on average — a 59.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Cape Girardeau comes out ahead with 252 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Cape Girardeau sees 11.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cape Girardeau | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 48.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 11.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Cape Girardeau 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 | Cape Girardeau | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tigard is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Cape Girardeau.
From a growth perspective, Tigard is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cape Girardeau has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cape Girardeau | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,818 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.58% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cape Girardeau
Advantages
Average rent in Cape Girardeau is roughly 50% lower than the national average per Zillow data.
Home to Southeast Missouri State University, providing robust cultural, educational, and arts amenities.
Serves as a major regional healthcare nexus with advanced medical facilities like Saint Francis and SoutheastHEALTH.
Short average commute times of approximately 21 minutes make daily travel efficient.
Scenic riverfront location along the Mississippi River featuring historic parks and a revitalized downtown.
Drawbacks
Local mean wages and median household incomes track below national averages per Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
High level of car dependency with limited municipal public transit coverage.
Poverty rates can skew higher in specific core urban census tracts compared to surrounding county areas.
Susceptible to humid continental weather extremes with hot summers and variable winter conditions.
Limited high-tech and specialized corporate headquarters sector compared to larger state metros.
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.
Cape Girardeau
#308Missouri, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$995
Avg Salary
$56,680
Cost Index
86
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
59.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.58%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
75
Business
67
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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