Performance
Score Breakdown
Cold Lake
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cold Lake is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
15% lower compared to Tigard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cold Lake's average rent is
33% lower than Tigard's.
| Metric | Cold Lake | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,210 | $1,800 | -33% |
| Groceries | $321 | $450 | -29% |
| Utilities | $176 | $180 | -2% |
| Transport | $487 | $120 | +306% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,394 | $2,800 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 29% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cold Lake delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cold Lake is estimated at
$40,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Cold Lake | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,347 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $40,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,526 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $85,007 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Cold Lake | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cold Lake has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 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 | Cold Lake | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 28.0/10 | 70.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tigard is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Cold Lake.
From a growth perspective, Cold Lake 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 | Cold Lake | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,186 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.18% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 7.90% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cold Lake
Advantages
Average salary in Cold Lake is 19.6% higher than the Canadian national average as of July 2026.
The city benefits from significant defence investment, including a $525M investment at CFB Cold Lake for a Military Fighter Squadron Facility.
Cold Lake Transit offers a free public bus service, enhancing local mobility for residents.
Recent reports from May 2026 indicate a significant downward trend in crime rates, with crimes against persons down 51% and property crimes down 53% year-over-year.
The city is actively pursuing commercial and residential growth, with ongoing planning for future development.
Drawbacks
Cold Lake's overall crime rates are 214% higher than the national average, and violent crimes are 145% higher, based on estimated data.
The regional unemployment rate for Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake was 7.9% in June 2026, which is higher than the national average.
The Cold Lake Healthcare Centre is experiencing chronic understaffing in its emergency room, leading to increased wait times and concerns about patient care as of August 2026.
The city has a low walk score of 28 out of 100, indicating it is a car-dependent neighborhood where most errands require a vehicle.
Limited bike infrastructure, with a bike score of 45, makes cycling challenging for daily errands.
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.
Cold Lake
#24Alberta, Canada
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,210
Avg Salary
$46,347
Cost Index
85
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
28.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.18%
Unemployment
7.90%
Livability
72
Business
65
Tigard
#21Oregon, USA
72.0 / 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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