Performance
Score Breakdown
New Plymouth
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
New Plymouth is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
79% lower compared to Tigard.
Housing costs are a major driver: New Plymouth's average rent is
68% lower than Tigard's.
| Metric | New Plymouth | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $580 | $1,800 | -68% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $580 | $2,800 | -79% |
| Cost Index | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | New Plymouth | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $55,000 |
| Household Income | $39,200 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | New Plymouth | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 83.30% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tigard has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to New Plymouth.
New Plymouth 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 | New Plymouth | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 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 | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New Plymouth is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Tigard.
From a growth perspective, New Plymouth 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 | New Plymouth | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,100 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.41% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
New Plymouth
Advantages
Recognized for its beauty and liveability, winning awards for being New Zealand's most beautiful small city and most liveable city in its population category.
Offers a balanced lifestyle with a mix of urban amenities and easy access to outdoor recreation, including coastal landscapes and Mount Taranaki.
Strong emphasis on walking and cycling infrastructure, making it a model community for active transport.
Robust economy driven by diverse sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, and the oil and gas industry.
Relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major New Zealand cities.
Drawbacks
Winters are wet and cold, and the city is described as windy and partly cloudy year-round.
While generally safe, like any city, crime can be a concern in certain areas.
The median age is slightly above the national average, suggesting an aging population.
Reliance on specific industries like dairy and oil/gas can make the economy susceptible to commodity price fluctuations.
Public transport options may be less developed compared to larger metropolitan areas.
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.
New Plymouth
#1New Plymouth, New Zealand
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$580
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.41%
Unemployment
5.08%
Livability
74
Business
68
Tigard
#28Oregon, 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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