City Comparison
North Bethesda vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
North Bethesda scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
North Bethesda
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tigard is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in North Bethesda.
Housing costs are a major driver: North Bethesda's average rent is
33% higher than Tigard's.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $1,800 | +33% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,400 | $2,800 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
North Bethesda offers 26% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, North Bethesda delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in North Bethesda is estimated at
$65,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,063 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $129,092 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
North Bethesda runs warmer on average — a 56.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, North Bethesda comes out ahead with 234 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — North Bethesda sees 15.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 234 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tigard has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to North Bethesda.
North Bethesda scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tigard is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of North Bethesda.
From a growth perspective, Tigard is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, North Bethesda has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,806 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.87% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
North Bethesda
Advantages
Median household income stands at an affluent $129,092 per year per U.S. Census Bureau data
Direct access to Washington, D.C. via multiple WMATA Red Line Metro stations
High concentration of residents with graduate or professional degrees exceeding 40%
Vibrant mixed-use urban centers like Pike & Rose offering premier dining, retail, and arts
Crime rates well below national averages supporting a secure community environment
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and housing expenses run roughly 28% to 32% higher than the national average
Average monthly apartment rent exceeds $2,400, creating affordability hurdles for lower-income renters
Traffic congestion along Rockville Pike and major commuter corridors during peak hours
High property tax and real estate acquisition costs relative to the national baseline
Competitive rental and housing markets with limited inventory for low-to-moderate-income families
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.
North Bethesda
#385Maryland, USA
59.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,400
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
234/yr
Avg Temp
56.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.87%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
83
Business
78
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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