City Comparison
Ulverstone vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ulverstone scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ulverstone
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ulverstone is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
56% lower than in Tigard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ulverstone's average rent is
31% lower than Tigard's.
| Metric | Ulverstone | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,244 | $1,800 | -31% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,244 | $2,800 | -56% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 21% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tigard delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
| Metric | Ulverstone | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,029 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,715 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $36,345 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ulverstone runs warmer on average — a 54.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ulverstone comes out ahead with 243 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ulverstone sees 0.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ulverstone | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 54.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 53.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 243 | |
| Humidity | % | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ulverstone has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,500 minutes (192 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 | Ulverstone | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | — | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tigard is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Ulverstone.
From a growth perspective, Tigard is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ulverstone has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ulverstone | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,107 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.59% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 47.0 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.09% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ulverstone
Advantages
Coastal town with significant natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities [7, 11, 41].
Growing economy with a focus on innovation and future-oriented enterprises, supported by local government initiatives [7, 19].
Strong sense of community and a supportive environment for families and professionals [7, 11, 19].
Moderate cost of living and housing prices compared to major Australian cities [3, 12, 20, 28].
Key industries include agriculture, manufacturing, and health care, providing a diverse job market [7, 11, 41, 42].
Drawbacks
Median household income is relatively low compared to the national GDP per capita, suggesting potential economic disparities [3, 20].
High demand for appointments at local clinics may indicate strain on healthcare resources [26].
Economic outlook at the state level shows some uncertainty, which could impact local growth [45].
Lack of specific data for many key metrics, including detailed cost of living, transit scores, and crime rates, makes comprehensive analysis challenging.
Modest population growth rate of 0.59% annually [9].
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.
Ulverstone
#14Tasmania, Australia
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,244
Avg Salary
$51,029
Cost Index
95
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
243/yr
Avg Temp
54.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.59%
Unemployment
4.09%
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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