City Comparison
Waterbury vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tigard scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waterbury
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waterbury is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Tigard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Waterbury's average rent is
19% lower than Tigard's.
| Metric | Waterbury | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,800 | -19% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,390 | $2,800 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Waterbury delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Waterbury is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Waterbury | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,500 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,234 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Waterbury runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Waterbury comes out ahead with 247 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Waterbury sees 24.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Waterbury | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 247 | |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tigard has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Waterbury.
Waterbury 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 | Waterbury | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waterbury is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Tigard.
From a growth perspective, Tigard 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 | Waterbury | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,000 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Waterbury
Advantages
Median home purchase prices are significantly lower than the Connecticut state average per Zillow data.
Anchored by two major medical centers providing robust local healthcare access per American Hospital Directory.
Convenient highway access via Interstate 84 and Route 8 facilitating regional commutes.
Rich cultural amenities including the historic Palace Theater and diverse local dining options.
Abundant local green spaces such as Fulton Park offering outdoor recreation opportunities.
Drawbacks
Certain neighborhoods experience higher property and violent crime rates than national averages per FBI crime data.
Public transit walkability is limited outside of the immediate downtown core per Walk Score metrics.
Local school district ratings trail behind suburban Connecticut districts per state education reports.
State and local tax burdens remain a consistent challenge for property owners in Connecticut.
Economic mobility and median household incomes lag behind wealthier coastal municipalities.
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.
Waterbury
#507Connecticut, USA
52.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$58,500
Cost Index
94
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
247/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
69
Business
64
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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