City Comparison
Johannesburg vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Johannesburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Johannesburg
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Johannesburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
38% lower than in Tigard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Johannesburg's average rent is
47% lower than Tigard's.
| Metric | Johannesburg | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,800 | -47% |
| Groceries | $350 | $450 | -22% |
| Utilities | $160 | $180 | -11% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $180 | $250 | -28% |
| Monthly Total | $1,750 | $2,800 | -38% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 63% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tigard delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Johannesburg is estimated at
$18,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Johannesburg | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $24,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $18,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $22,500 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Johannesburg runs warmer on average — a 61.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Johannesburg comes out ahead with 225 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Johannesburg sees 3.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Johannesburg | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 63.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 59.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 225 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tigard has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
10,500 minutes (175 hours) per year compared to Johannesburg.
For walkability, Tigard leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Johannesburg | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 44 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 68.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Johannesburg is the larger city
— approximately 104.5x the population of Tigard.
From a growth perspective, Johannesburg 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 | Johannesburg | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,854,200 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.60% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 30.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Johannesburg
Advantages
Thriving corporate and financial hub housing the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and major multinational headquarters.
Exceptional climate featuring over 200 days of sunshine annually and extensive green urban forestry.
World-class private healthcare infrastructure with internationally accredited hospitals and specialists.
Vibrant cultural scene, featuring acclaimed museums, galleries, dining establishments, and a rich musical heritage.
Favorable cost of living and housing value for professionals earning competitive local salaries or remote foreign income.
Drawbacks
Elevated crime rates requiring vigilant personal security measures and gated residential environments.
Significant traffic congestion during peak commuting hours across major metropolitan highway corridors.
Fragmented public mass transit network leading to heavy reliance on private automobiles and rideshares.
Municipal infrastructure challenges, including occasional power interruptions and water supply maintenance issues.
Broader regional and national unemployment pressures impacting broader socio-economic stability.
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.
Johannesburg
#38Gauteng, South Africa
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$24,000
Cost Index
45
Commute
44 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
225/yr
Avg Temp
61.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
30.20%
Livability
70
Business
74
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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