City Comparison
Middlebury vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Middlebury scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Middlebury
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Middlebury is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Tigard.
| Metric | Middlebury | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,800 | -8% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,620 | $2,800 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Middlebury offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Middlebury delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Middlebury is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Middlebury | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,963 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $82,450 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Middlebury runs warmer on average — a 46.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Middlebury comes out ahead with 222 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Middlebury sees 45.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Middlebury | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 45.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 222 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Middlebury has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Tigard.
Middlebury 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 | Middlebury | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tigard is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Middlebury.
From a growth perspective, Tigard is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Middlebury has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Middlebury | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,112 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Middlebury
Advantages
Violent and property crime rates remain significantly lower than the national average per Vermont state data.
Direct Amtrak rail service via the Ethan Allen Express connects Middlebury straight to New York City.
Access to top-tier cultural events, lectures, and athletic facilities through Middlebury College.
Exceptional local school district and proximity to premier outdoor recreation including hiking, skiing, and cycling.
Strong local economy anchored by stable institutional employers like Middlebury College and Porter Medical Center.
Drawbacks
Housing inventory is severely constrained, leading to high purchase prices and competitive rental markets.
Long, harsh New England winters drive up seasonal home heating and utility costs.
Property taxes in Vermont are among the highest in the nation, impacting homeowners.
Limited public transit options require heavy reliance on personal vehicles for regional travel.
Higher-than-average cost of living for groceries and goods compared to the broader national baseline.
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.
Middlebury
#130Vermont, USA
65.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
222/yr
Avg Temp
46.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
2.40%
Livability
84
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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