City Comparison
Cedar Rapids vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cedar Rapids scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cedar Rapids
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cedar Rapids is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
24% lower compared to Tigard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cedar Rapids's average rent is
37% lower than Tigard's.
| Metric | Cedar Rapids | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,126 | $1,800 | -37% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,126 | $2,800 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cedar Rapids offers 37% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cedar Rapids delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cedar Rapids is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Cedar Rapids | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $89,087 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 98,986 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $70,424 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Cedar Rapids runs warmer on average — a 51.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Cedar Rapids comes out ahead with 266 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Cedar Rapids sees 23.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cedar Rapids | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 14.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 36.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cedar Rapids has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Tigard.
Cedar Rapids 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 | Cedar Rapids | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 70.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cedar Rapids is the larger city
— approximately 2.5x the population of Tigard.
From a growth perspective, Tigard is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cedar Rapids | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,264 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cedar Rapids
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average, with housing being a major contributor.
Affordable housing market with a median home price well below the national average and a competitive market for sellers.
Strong and growing economy with significant private investments in data centers and manufacturing, creating job opportunities.
Low crime rates and a strong safety profile, with violent crime rates below the national average.
High quality of life with well-run city services, a focus on community, and national recognition for livability and affordability.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, as public transportation and walkability scores are moderate, making personal vehicles essential for most residents.
While growing, the job market may not offer the same high-paying specialized roles found in larger metropolitan areas, though specific high-paying sectors like healthcare exist.
The city's economy, while growing, is heavily influenced by manufacturing and agriculture, which can be subject to broader economic fluctuations.
Despite overall affordability, rent-to-income ratios can be a concern for some households, with a significant portion of income potentially allocated to housing.
The city has experienced natural disasters, such as the 2020 derecho, which, while demonstrating resilience, can impact infrastructure and community well-being.
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.
Cedar Rapids
#29Iowa, USA
66.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,126
Avg Salary
$89,087
Cost Index
90
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
51.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
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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