City Comparison
Fort Smith vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Smith scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Smith
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fort Smith is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
35% lower than in Tigard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Smith's average rent is
48% lower than Tigard's.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $945 | $1,800 | -48% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,825 | $2,800 | -35% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 22% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fort Smith delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fort Smith is estimated at
$42,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,400 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,463 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $54,816 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fort Smith runs warmer on average — a 63.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fort Smith comes out ahead with 266 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fort Smith sees 8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 32.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 49.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fort Smith has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 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 | Fort Smith | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Smith is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Tigard.
From a growth perspective, Tigard is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fort Smith | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,517 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.44% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fort Smith
Advantages
Median home values and rental rates are significantly lower than the national average per recent Census and Zillow data.
Robust regional healthcare infrastructure featuring major medical centers like Mercy and Baptist Health.
Short average commute times that minimize daily travel stress compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities nearby, including the Ozark National Forest and scenic mountain biking trails.
A revitalized historic downtown area offering local dining, arts, and community events.
Drawbacks
Poverty rates and median household incomes lag behind national benchmarks according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Public transportation infrastructure is limited, making car ownership essential for daily commuting and errands.
Summer temperatures can be consistently high and humid, requiring heavy reliance on air conditioning.
Job growth in certain traditional sectors has experienced fluctuations over recent cycles.
Walkability scores are generally low outside of specific downtown or planned mixed-use pockets.
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.
Fort Smith
#271Arkansas, USA
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$945
Avg Salary
$50,400
Cost Index
82
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
63.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.44%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
71
Business
66
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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