City Comparison
Elko vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elko scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elko
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elko is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Tigard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Elko's average rent is
40% lower than Tigard's.
| Metric | Elko | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,087 | $1,800 | -40% |
| Groceries | $415 | $450 | -8% |
| Utilities | $267 | $180 | +48% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,119 | $2,800 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elko offers 11% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Elko delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Elko is estimated at
$43,476 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Elko | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $43,476 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,571 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $79,036 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Elko runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Elko comes out ahead with 314 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Elko sees 34.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elko | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 11.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 34.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 314 | |
| Humidity | % | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elko 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 | Elko | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | — | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tigard is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Elko.
From a growth perspective, Tigard is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Elko has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Elko | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,357 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.66% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Elko
Advantages
Elko County had a low unemployment rate of 2.8% in August 2026, indicating a strong job market.
The city boasts a rich cultural scene, hosting events like the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering and the National Basque Festival.
The median days on market for homes was 26 days in September 2026, down significantly year-over-year, suggesting properties move quickly.
Elko's average commute time is relatively short, estimated at 20 minutes.
The safety index for Elko was 76 in 2026, indicating a generally safe environment.
Drawbacks
Median rent prices in Elko saw a substantial year-over-year increase of 97.75% to $2,373 per month in September 2026.
Elko is considered a car-dependent city with limited public transit options.
The cost of living in Elko is higher than 71% of cities in North America as of September 2026.
The housing market was a buyer's market in September 2026, with homes selling for approximately the asking price on average, but with a supply greater than demand.
Specific data on advanced healthcare services and specialized medical costs for Elko are not readily available.
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.
Elko
#167Nevada, USA
64.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,087
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
314/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.66%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
72
Business
70
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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