City Comparison
New Castle vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
New Castle scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
New Castle
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
New Castle is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Tigard.
| Metric | New Castle | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,800 | -8% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,600 | $2,800 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New Castle offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, New Castle delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in New Castle is estimated at
$54,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | New Castle | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,388 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
New Castle runs warmer on average — a 55.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, New Castle comes out ahead with 258 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — New Castle sees 12.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | New Castle | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 12.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | |
| 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 New Castle.
New Castle 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 | New Castle | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tigard is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of New Castle.
From a growth perspective, Tigard is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | New Castle | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,585 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
New Castle
Advantages
One of the best-preserved colonial historic districts in the United States
Scenic waterfront parks and walking trails along the Delaware River
Favorable proximity to Wilmington, Philadelphia, and major Interstate corridors
Moderate property taxes compared to surrounding Mid-Atlantic states
Active community events, farmers markets, and historical festivals throughout the year
Drawbacks
High reliance on automobile transportation for daily commuting outside the historic core
Limited new large-scale housing inventory within the historic district boundaries
Vulnerability to coastal weather events and occasional river flooding near low-lying areas
Traffic congestion along major regional arteries during peak rush hours
Higher demand driving competitive real estate pricing in desirable historic pockets
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.
New Castle
#313Delaware, USA
60.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
55.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
70
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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