City Comparison
Garden City vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Garden City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Garden City
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Garden City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
34% lower than in Tigard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Garden City's average rent is
47% lower than Tigard's.
| Metric | Garden City | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,800 | -47% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,835 | $2,800 | -34% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 20% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Garden City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Garden City is estimated at
$45,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Garden City | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,091 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $61,200 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Garden City runs warmer on average — a 57.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Garden City comes out ahead with 297 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Garden City sees 6.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Garden City | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 24.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 6.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 297 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Garden City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 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 | Garden City | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tigard is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Garden City.
From a growth perspective, Tigard is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Garden City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Garden City | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,151 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Garden City
Advantages
Median home prices remain significantly lower than the US national average per US Census data.
The Lee Richardson Zoo offers free admission to visitors and residents year-round.
Exceptional cultural diversity reflected in local dining, festivals, and community events.
Short average commute times of under 16 minutes per American Community Survey data.
A welcoming micropolitan environment with strong economic resilience and job stability.
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation with the nearest major metropolitan hub hours away by car.
Limited public transportation infrastructure increases reliance on personal vehicles.
Continental climate brings occasional severe weather events, including high winds and winter snowstorms.
Local wages lag behind national GDP per capita averages due to the dominance of agriculture and meatpacking.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger urban centers.
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.
Garden City
#154Kansas, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
297/yr
Avg Temp
57.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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