City Comparison
Nicholasville vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Nicholasville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Nicholasville
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nicholasville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Tigard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Nicholasville's average rent is
31% lower than Tigard's.
| Metric | Nicholasville | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,800 | -31% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,135 | $2,800 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Nicholasville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Nicholasville is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Nicholasville | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $61,500 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Nicholasville runs warmer on average — a 56.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Nicholasville comes out ahead with 231 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Nicholasville sees 19.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Nicholasville | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 56.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 231 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tigard has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Nicholasville.
Tigard 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 | Nicholasville | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tigard is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Nicholasville.
From a growth perspective, Nicholasville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Nicholasville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Nicholasville | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,500 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Nicholasville
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain more affordable than nearby Lexington and the national average (Census Bureau / Zillow 2024)
Convenient location just south of Lexington provides easy access to major metropolitan employment and cultural amenities
Low crime rates and family-friendly neighborhoods create a secure environment for residents (FBI Uniform Crime Reporting 2024)
Strong sense of community with local parks, annual festivals, and a revitalized historic downtown district
Steady job market with growing sectors in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and retail trade
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options within the city
Traffic congestion during peak hours along the main US-27 commercial corridor
Housing inventory can be tight during peak buying seasons due to high regional demand
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger nearby urban centers
Pollen and seasonal allergy levels can be high due to the lush Bluegrass flora and agricultural surroundings
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.
Nicholasville
#120Kentucky, USA
66.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
231/yr
Avg Temp
56.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
76
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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