City Comparison
Orono vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Orono scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Orono
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Orono is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Tigard.
| Metric | Orono | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,800 | -3% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,680 | $2,800 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Orono delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Orono is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Orono | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,528 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,766 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $59,784 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Orono runs warmer on average — a 45.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Orono comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Orono sees 44.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Orono | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 10.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 44.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Orono has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Tigard.
Orono 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 | Orono | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tigard is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Orono.
From a growth perspective, Orono is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Orono has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Orono | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,250 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 21.7 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Orono
Advantages
Median property value in Orono is significantly lower than the national average, providing accessible homeownership options per Data USA 2024.
The town boasts an active New England village downtown with robust walkability and local dining per Census Bureau data.
Extensive recreational trail systems and river access offer exceptional outdoor activities year-round.
Proximity to the University of Maine provides rich cultural, athletic, and educational events for residents.
Crime rates remain well below national averages, ensuring a secure environment for families and students.
Drawbacks
The local poverty rate is elevated due to the large concentration of students with low reported individual incomes per Census Bureau profiles.
Severe winter weather with heavy snowfall requires high heating costs and winter maintenance overhead.
Rental inventory can experience tight seasonal demand fluctuations tied to the academic calendar.
Job diversification outside of education and public services is relatively limited locally.
Public transit options beyond regional connections to Bangor are sparse for destinations outside the immediate area.
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.
Orono
#202Maine, USA
63.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$61,528
Cost Index
95
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
45.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
76
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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