City Comparison
Fargo vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fargo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fargo
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fargo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Tigard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fargo's average rent is
39% lower than Tigard's.
| Metric | Fargo | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,800 | -39% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,985 | $2,800 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fargo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fargo is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Fargo | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $71,500 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fargo runs warmer on average — a 44.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fargo comes out ahead with 270 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fargo sees 30.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fargo | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 44.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 1.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 28.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 30.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fargo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Tigard.
Fargo 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 | Fargo | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fargo is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Tigard.
From a growth perspective, Fargo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fargo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fargo | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,859 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 33.8 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fargo
Advantages
Fargo's median home price remains below the national average per 2024 housing data, offering high housing affordability.
The local unemployment rate stays consistently below the national average, supported by a diverse and resilient economy.
Fargo features short average commute times of under 20 minutes, significantly better than the US average.
The presence of Sanford Health and Essentia Health makes Fargo a premier regional hub for top-tier healthcare services.
A thriving downtown and vibrant arts community provide an active cultural lifestyle unusual for a city of its size.
Drawbacks
Fargo experiences harsh, freezing winters with heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures.
Public transit options are limited outside of core urban and campus areas, creating strong car dependency.
Heating and utility costs spike significantly during prolonged winter cold snaps.
Property tax rates in Cass County can be higher relative to home values compared to some other regions.
The local labor market can experience shortages in specialized technical and healthcare roles.
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.
Fargo
#49North Dakota, USA
70.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
44.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
77
Business
72
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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