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Eau Claire vs Tigard

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Wisconsin, USA
View Eau Claire profile
#51 in USA
64
Overall Score
VS
Oregon, USA
View Tigard profile
#145 in USA
46
Overall Score
Eau Claire scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Eau Claire
Tigard
Livability
74
87
Affordability
70
40
Business
68
68
Growth
70
70

Cost of Living

Eau Claire is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 26% lower compared to Tigard. Housing costs are a major driver: Eau Claire's average rent is 39% lower than Tigard's.
MetricEau ClaireTigardDiff
Average Rent
$1,100$1,800-39%
Groceries
$400$450-11%
Utilities
$215$180+19%
Transport
$120$1200%
Healthcare
$250$2500%
Monthly Total
$2,085$2,800-26%
Cost Index
90121out of 100

Salary & Income

Eau Claire offers similar average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Eau Claire delivers stronger purchasing power — meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day. The minimum comfortable salary in Eau Claire is estimated at $55,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
MetricEau ClaireTigard
Average Salary
$65,000$65,000
Salary Needed
$55,000$55,000
Purchasing Power
72,222 idx53,719 idx
Household Income
$67,395$108,823

Climate Comparison

Eau Claire runs warmer on average — a 46°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Eau Claire comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Eau Claire sees 33.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricEau ClaireTigard
Avg Temp
46.00°F°F
Summer High
78.60°F°F
Winter Low
8.10°F°F
Rainfall
37.00 in in
Snowfall
33.80 in in
Sunny Days
249
Humidity
%73.00%

Commute & Transport

Tigard has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Eau Claire. 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.
MetricEau ClaireTigard
Commute Time
28 min23 min
Transit Score
35.0/1040.0/10
Walkability
55.0/1070.0/10
Traffic Index
45.0060.00
Car Dependency
HighHigh

Economy & Demographics

Eau Claire is the larger city — approximately 1.3x the population of Tigard. From a growth perspective, Tigard is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Eau Claire has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricEau ClaireTigard
Population
73,13456,011
Pop. Growth
0.92%1.00%
Median Age
32.939.4
Unemployment
3.20%4.20%
GDP
$0.0B$0.0B

Pros & Cons

Eau Claire
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with housing costs significantly below the national average.
Strong and diversified job market with key sectors including healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.
Access to quality healthcare services provided by major health systems like Mayo Clinic and Marshfield Medical Center.
Vibrant arts and culture scene, including annual music festivals and a historic downtown.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities with parks and riverfront trails.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, as most errands require a vehicle.
Public transit options are limited.
Crime rates, particularly property crime, are higher than the national average.
Healthcare costs are slightly higher than the U.S. average.
Racial disparities exist in arrests for low-level offenses by the police department.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Eau Claire
#51
Wisconsin, USA
63.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
46.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.92%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
View Full Profile
Tigard
#145
Oregon, 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
View Full Profile

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