City Comparison
Tawa vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tawa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tawa
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tawa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Tigard.
| Metric | Tawa | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,800 | -8% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $160 | $180 | -11% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,560 | $2,800 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 20% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tawa delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Tawa is estimated at
$46,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Tawa | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $46,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,319 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $58,000 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Tawa runs warmer on average — a 55.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Tawa comes out ahead with 214 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Tawa sees 0.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Tawa | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 53.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 55.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 52.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 214 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tigard has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Tawa.
Tawa 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 | Tawa | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tigard is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Tawa.
From a growth perspective, Tigard is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Tigard has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tawa | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,800 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tawa
Advantages
Commuter rail stations (Tawa and Linden) provide a direct sub-20 minute train ride into central Wellington
High-performing local primary and secondary schools make it a top choice for families
Extensive green spaces, parks, and recreational trails including the Porirua Stream pathways
Lower median property purchase prices compared to central Wellington city suburbs
Strong community engagement with active local sports clubs, libraries, and civic groups
Drawbacks
State Highway 1 and local arterial roads experience notable commuter traffic congestion during peak hours
Limited nightlife and entertainment options within the suburb proper, requiring travel to Wellington
Housing affordability remains a challenge for first-time home buyers due to high national property price baselines
Topography featuring surrounding hills can limit cycling accessibility for certain neighborhoods
Variable public bus feeder routes can make cross-suburb non-rail transit less direct
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.
Tawa
#27Wellington, New Zealand
64.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
214/yr
Avg Temp
55.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
79
Business
67
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Tawa and Tigard.
Open Cost Calculator