City Comparison
State College vs Tualatin
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tualatin scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
State College
Tualatin
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
State College is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% lower compared to Tualatin.
Housing costs are a major driver: State College's average rent is
12% lower than Tualatin's.
| Metric | State College | Tualatin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $2,100 | -12% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,850 | $3,000 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 119 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
State College offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tualatin delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in State College is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Tualatin.
| Metric | State College | Tualatin |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $62,200 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,622 idx | 65,474 idx |
| Household Income | $45,424 | $104,043 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.4°F of each other.
For sunshine, State College comes out ahead with 16 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — State College sees 6.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | State College | Tualatin |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | 54.80°F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | 81.60°F |
| Winter Low | 19.40°F | 36.30°F |
| Rainfall | 36.10 in | 50.00 in |
| Snowfall | 18.60 in | 11.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 244 | 228 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
State College has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Tualatin.
For walkability, State College leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | State College | Tualatin |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 68.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
State College is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Tualatin.
From a growth perspective, State College is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Tualatin has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | State College | Tualatin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 41,050 | 28,152 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.21% | 0.05% |
| Median Age | 21.2 | 37.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 4.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
State College
Advantages
High walkability score, with many errands accomplishable on foot in the downtown area.
Strong educational environment due to the presence of Pennsylvania State University.
Vibrant cultural scene with numerous festivals, arts events, and entertainment venues.
Lower than national average violent crime rate, contributing to a generally safe environment.
Affordable home care options compared to the state average.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing costs.
The median age in the borough is very low (21.2), indicating a significant student population which may influence the city's overall character and services.
While the borough is walkable, surrounding areas may have higher car dependency.
Crime rate is higher than the Pennsylvania state average, though lower than the national average for some metrics.
Median household income in the borough is significantly lower than the national average.
Tualatin
Advantages
Lower violent crime rate compared to national and state averages.
Strategic location with excellent access to Portland and regional attractions.
Robust job market with diverse industries and a low unemployment rate.
High quality of life, with abundant green spaces and community events.
Shorter average commute times compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
Higher total crime rate and property crime rate compared to national averages.
Median home prices are significantly higher than the national average.
Rental prices have seen a substantial year-over-year increase.
Car dependency is high, with an average of two cars per household.
Property crime, particularly motor vehicle theft, warrants awareness.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
State College
#97Pennsylvania, USA
55.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
119
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
68.0/10
Sunny Days
244/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.21%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
86
Business
68
Tualatin
#38Oregon, USA
64.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$62,200
Cost Index
95
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
228/yr
Avg Temp
54.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.05%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
74
Business
68
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