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Joliet vs Tigard

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Illinois, USA
View Joliet profile
#215 in USA
64
Overall Score
VS
Oregon, USA
View Tigard profile
#505 in USA
52
Overall Score
Joliet scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Joliet
Tigard
Livability
72
87
Affordability
78
40
Business
75
68
Growth
74
70

Cost of Living

Joliet is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 15% lower than in Tigard. Housing costs are a major driver: Joliet's average rent is 19% lower than Tigard's.
MetricJolietTigardDiff
Average Rent
$1,450$1,800-19%
Groceries
$380$450-16%
Utilities
$175$180-3%
Transport
$130$120+8%
Healthcare
$240$250-4%
Monthly Total
$2,375$2,800-15%
Cost Index
92121out of 100

Salary & Income

Joliet offers 5% higher average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Joliet delivers stronger purchasing power — meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day. The minimum comfortable salary in Joliet is estimated at $52,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
MetricJolietTigard
Average Salary
$68,500$65,000
Salary Needed
$52,000$55,000
Purchasing Power
74,457 idx53,719 idx
Household Income
$81,200$108,823

Climate Comparison

Joliet runs warmer on average — a 51.8°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Joliet comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Joliet sees 26.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricJolietTigard
Avg Temp
51.80°F°F
Summer High
82.60°F°F
Winter Low
17.70°F°F
Rainfall
36.10 in in
Snowfall
26.30 in in
Sunny Days
251
Humidity
68.00%73.00%

Commute & Transport

Tigard has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Joliet. Joliet 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.
MetricJolietTigard
Commute Time
30 min23 min
Transit Score
42.0/10040.0/100
Walkability
45.0/10070.0/100
Traffic Index
52.0060.00
Car Dependency
HighHigh

Economy & Demographics

Joliet is the larger city — approximately 2.7x the population of Tigard. 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.
MetricJolietTigard
Population
150,36256,011
Pop. Growth
0.80%1.00%
Median Age
36.539.4
Unemployment
4.60%4.20%
GDP
——

Pros & Cons

Joliet
Advantages
Median home prices and rent averages remain significantly more affordable than Chicago and its inner-ring suburbs.
Strategic geographic location at the intersection of I-80 and I-55 drives robust job opportunities in logistics and manufacturing.
Direct Metra commuter rail service on the Rock Island line provides convenient access to downtown Chicago.
Rich cultural and architectural assets, including the historic Rialto Square Theatre and extensive park district facilities.
Strong presence of higher education and healthcare institutions supporting local workforce development and medical access.
Drawbacks
Will County property taxes are among the highest in the nation, impacting overall homeownership costs.
Heavy freight and truck traffic on major regional corridors contributes to roadway wear and localized congestion.
High reliance on automobile transportation with limited public transit coverage outside of core commuter routes.
Crime rates vary significantly by neighborhood, with certain central areas experiencing elevated property and violent crime.
Air quality and environmental concerns occasionally arise due to heavy industrial activity and massive distribution warehouse operations.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Joliet
#215
Illinois, USA
63.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,500
Cost Index
92
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
51.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
72
Business
75
View Full Profile
Tigard
#505
Oregon, 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
View Full Profile

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