City Comparison
Mesa vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mesa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mesa
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tigard is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Mesa.
| Metric | Mesa | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $1,800 | +6% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,830 | $2,800 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mesa offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mesa delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mesa is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Mesa | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $69,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,408 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $82,752 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mesa runs warmer on average — a 76.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mesa comes out ahead with 326 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mesa sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mesa | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 105.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 13.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 326 | |
| Humidity | 30.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tigard has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Mesa.
Mesa 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 | Mesa | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mesa is the larger city
— approximately 9.2x 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.
| Metric | Mesa | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 513,656 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.43% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mesa
Advantages
Average rent sits at $1,900 per month as of late 2026 per Zillow data, offering competitive rates compared to neighboring coastal or West Coast metros.
Mesa features over 326 sunny days per year, providing an ideal climate for outdoor enthusiasts and active lifestyles.
The city's median household income has grown steadily to roughly $82,752 per the U.S. Census Bureau.
Extensive investments in the Falcon Field and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway airport corridors continue to spur high-paying advanced manufacturing and aerospace jobs.
World-class recreational escapes like Usery Mountain Regional Park and the Salt River offer immediate access to hiking, kayaking, and desert scenery.
Drawbacks
Extreme summer high temperatures averaging 105.5°F make outdoor daytime activities challenging during peak summer months.
Heavy car dependency across Mesa's 142 square miles can lead to localized rush-hour congestion on major freeways.
Rapid population growth has driven up housing and property values, placing a strain on first-time home buyers.
Regional air quality during certain winter atmospheric inversions can experience elevated particulate pollution levels.
Public transit coverage outside of the light rail corridor and major bus lines can be limited for car-free commuters.
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.
Mesa
#274Arizona, USA
61.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,900
Avg Salary
$69,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
326/yr
Avg Temp
76.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.43%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
75
Business
72
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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