City Comparison
Fort Collins vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Collins scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Collins
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tigard is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
36% higher compared to Fort Collins.
| Metric | Fort Collins | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,632 | $1,800 | -9% |
| Groceries | $402 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $1,460 | $250 | +484% |
| Monthly Total | $3,794 | $2,800 | +36% |
| Cost Index | 100 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 8% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fort Collins delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fort Collins is estimated at
$65,280 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Fort Collins | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $59,672 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,280 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,672 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $85,070 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fort Collins runs warmer on average — a 51.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fort Collins comes out ahead with 291 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fort Collins sees 19.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fort Collins | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 291 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fort Collins 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 | Fort Collins | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 37.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 37.0/10 | 70.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Collins is the larger city
— approximately 3.1x the population of Tigard.
From a growth perspective, Tigard is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fort Collins has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fort Collins | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,693 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.11% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fort Collins
Advantages
Fort Collins has a lower violent crime rate than the national average.
The city's total crime rate decreased by 18.8% from 2008 to 2022.
Fort Collins has a high percentage of residents with a Bachelor's degree or higher (60.7%).
The average commute time is relatively low at 19.5 minutes.
Fort Collins is very bikeable and has several highly walkable neighborhoods.
Drawbacks
The median sales price for single-family homes increased by 1.7% in December 2024.
The cost of purchasing a home in Fort Collins has nearly doubled in the past 8 years.
Fair Market Rent prices in Fort Collins are very high compared to the national average.
The average cost of assisted living in Fort Collins is higher than both the state and national averages.
The Fort Collins, CO area's rent-to-income ratio is higher than the average for mid-sized metros, indicating less affordability.
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.
Fort Collins
#53Colorado, USA
62.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,632
Avg Salary
$59,672
Cost Index
100
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
37.0/10
Walkability
37.0/10
Sunny Days
291/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.11%
Unemployment
3.70%
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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