City Comparison
Columbus vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Columbus scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Columbus
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Columbus is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
40% lower than in Tigard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Columbus's average rent is
53% lower than Tigard's.
| Metric | Columbus | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $848 | $1,800 | -53% |
| Groceries | $350 | $450 | -22% |
| Utilities | $160 | $180 | -11% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $250 | -16% |
| Monthly Total | $1,678 | $2,800 | -40% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 26% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Columbus delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Columbus is estimated at
$35,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Columbus | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,471 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $42,235 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Columbus runs warmer on average — a 65.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Columbus comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Columbus sees 2.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Columbus | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 37.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 54.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Columbus has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Tigard.
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 | Columbus | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tigard is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Columbus.
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 | Columbus | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,348 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 41.1 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Columbus
Advantages
Average monthly rent of $848 is significantly lower than the national average per Apartments.com 2026 data.
Home to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, offering robust regional healthcare access.
Rich historical heritage featuring dozens of preserved antebellum homes and vibrant cultural events.
Short average commute times of roughly 19 to 21 minutes per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Strategic location within the growing Golden Triangle economic development zone.
Drawbacks
Median household income of $42,235 trails well behind national benchmarks per Census Bureau figures.
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit options.
Poverty rate of approximately 21.3% presents ongoing socioeconomic challenges for the municipality.
Limited walkability scores outside of specific historic downtown zones.
Vulnerability to humid subtropical summer climate extremes with high seasonal temperatures.
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.
Columbus
#366Mississippi, USA
59.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$848
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
65.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
67
Business
64
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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