City Comparison
Bethlehem vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bethlehem scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bethlehem
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bethlehem is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
0% lower compared to Tigard.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,800 | 0% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $227 | $180 | +26% |
| Transport | $60 | $120 | -50% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,787 | $2,800 | -0% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 24% 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 Bethlehem is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $49,276 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,869 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $68,879 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bethlehem runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bethlehem comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bethlehem sees 18.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | % | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Bethlehem | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 70.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bethlehem is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Tigard.
From a growth perspective, Bethlehem 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 | Bethlehem | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,563 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.15% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bethlehem
Advantages
Bethlehem's population is projected to grow by 1.15% annually in 2026, indicating a growing and dynamic community.
The median household income in Bethlehem was $68,879 in 2024, showing a 3.67% one-year growth.
The average rent in Bethlehem is 5% below the national average as of September 2026, making it a more affordable place to live.
The median property value in Bethlehem increased by 10.1% in 2024, suggesting a healthy real estate market for homeowners.
The cost of home care in Bethlehem is approximately 16% lower than the Pennsylvania average and 22% lower than the national average as of September 2026.
Drawbacks
The poverty rate in Bethlehem was 15.69% in 2026.
While rent is generally affordable, it has increased by 3.4% in the past year as of September 2026.
The median individual income in Bethlehem was $36,225 in 2024, which is lower than the median household income.
Home prices fell about 2.4% a year between 2015 and 2024, an unusual pattern compared to rising rents.
The percentage of uninsured citizens in Bethlehem grew by 5.37% between 2023 and 2024.
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.
Bethlehem
#59Pennsylvania, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$49,276
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.15%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
Tigard
#145Oregon, USA
46.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
121
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
70.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
87
Business
68
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