City Comparison
Kannapolis vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kannapolis scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kannapolis
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kannapolis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Tigard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kannapolis's average rent is
11% lower than Tigard's.
| Metric | Kannapolis | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,595 | $1,800 | -11% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,515 | $2,800 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kannapolis offers 2% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kannapolis delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kannapolis is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Kannapolis | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $66,487 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,986 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $73,836 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kannapolis runs warmer on average — a 61.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kannapolis comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kannapolis sees 3.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kannapolis | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 35.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tigard has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Kannapolis.
Kannapolis 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 | Kannapolis | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kannapolis is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Tigard.
From a growth perspective, Kannapolis is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kannapolis has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kannapolis | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,708 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.80% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kannapolis
Advantages
Median household income reached $73,836 per recent U.S. Census Bureau data, reflecting solid local earnings.
Average rent prices sit roughly 20% lower than the national average per Zillow market data.
Home to the world-class North Carolina Research Campus, driving innovation in life sciences and biotech.
Features Atrium Health Ballpark downtown, recognized as a premier minor-league baseball facility.
Strategic location along Interstate 85 provides easy commuting access to the greater Charlotte employment market.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transit options across expansive suburban neighborhoods.
Poverty rate stands at approximately 12.6% according to recent U.S. Census demographic profiles.
Rapid regional growth has driven up housing and property values, intensifying competition for buyers.
Limited full-service general acute hospital bed capacity inside city limits requires travel to neighboring cities for major inpatient care.
Summer temperatures frequently peak near the mid-to-upper 80s and low 90s with elevated humidity levels.
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.
Kannapolis
#85North Carolina, USA
68.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,595
Avg Salary
$66,487
Cost Index
95
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
61.80°F
Pop. Growth
3.80%
Unemployment
3.60%
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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