City Comparison
Balat Center vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Balat Center scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Balat Center
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Balat Center is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
90% lower than in Tigard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Balat Center's average rent is
94% lower than Tigard's.
| Metric | Balat Center | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $110 | $1,800 | -94% |
| Groceries | $90 | $450 | -80% |
| Utilities | $25 | $180 | -86% |
| Transport | $20 | $120 | -83% |
| Healthcare | $30 | $250 | -88% |
| Monthly Total | $275 | $2,800 | -90% |
| Cost Index | 28 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 96% 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 Balat Center is estimated at
$2,400 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Balat Center | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $2,800 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $2,400 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 10,000 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $3,200 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Balat Center | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 30.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Balat Center has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 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 | Balat Center | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tigard is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Balat Center.
From a growth perspective, Balat Center 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 | Balat Center | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,000 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 27.0 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 6.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Balat Center
Advantages
Extremely low cost of living and housing compared to national urban averages per CAPMAS data
Rich historical heritage featuring well-preserved medieval Islamic architecture and Old Kingdom ruins
Exceptional community safety with negligible rates of violent crime
Clean, unpolluted desert environment with zero heavy industrial smog
Strong local agricultural economy centered on world-renowned date palm cultivation
Drawbacks
Limited local job market diversification outside of agriculture and public administration
High reliance on travel to external cities for advanced healthcare and specialized services
Sparse public transportation networks connecting the remote oasis to major national hubs
Extreme summer desert temperatures that restrict outdoor midday activities
Limited availability of high-speed digital infrastructure and modern entertainment venues
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.
Balat Center
#77New Valley, Egypt
74.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$110
Avg Salary
$2,800
Cost Index
28
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
68
Business
52
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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