City Comparison
Norfolk vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Norfolk scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Norfolk
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Norfolk is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
30% lower than in Tigard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Norfolk's average rent is
39% lower than Tigard's.
| Metric | Norfolk | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,800 | -39% |
| Groceries | $414 | $450 | -8% |
| Utilities | $184 | $180 | +2% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $250 | -52% |
| Monthly Total | $1,968 | $2,800 | -30% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 45% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tigard delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Norfolk is estimated at
$23,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Norfolk | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $35,980 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $23,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 39,109 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $58,884 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Norfolk runs warmer on average — a 51.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Norfolk comes out ahead with 271 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Norfolk sees 15.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Norfolk | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 14.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 27.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 271 | |
| Humidity | 67.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Norfolk has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Tigard.
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 | Norfolk | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tigard is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Norfolk.
From a growth perspective, Norfolk is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Norfolk | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,054 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.30% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.70% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Norfolk
Advantages
Norfolk boasts a strong sense of community, fostering pride and unity among residents.
The city offers a variety of outdoor activities, including tubing, trails, and a whitewater park.
Crime rates in Norfolk are significantly lower than the national average, contributing to a safe living environment. [cite: 12, 14, 23, 29, 35 from previous search]
The cost of living, particularly housing, is more affordable compared to the national average. [cite: 6 from previous search]
Commute times are notably shorter than the national average, enhancing daily convenience. [cite: 2, 19 from previous search, 35 from previous search]
Drawbacks
Compared to larger cities, Norfolk has limited entertainment options.
Wages have not fully kept pace with inflation, impacting family budgets.
Despite overall affordability, finding truly affordable housing can still be a challenge.
Some residents perceive a 'snobby' community mindset or a lack of motivation for change.
The city experienced an overall employment decline rate between 2023 and 2024. [cite: 2, 3 from previous search]
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.
Norfolk
#31Nebraska, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$35,980
Cost Index
92
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
271/yr
Avg Temp
51.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
2.70%
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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