City Comparison
Williston vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Williston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Williston
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Williston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Tigard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Williston's average rent is
31% lower than Tigard's.
| Metric | Williston | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,249 | $1,800 | -31% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,199 | $2,800 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 31% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tigard delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Williston is estimated at
$43,956 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Williston | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,046 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $43,956 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,417 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $79,381 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Williston runs warmer on average — a 43.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Williston comes out ahead with 288 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Williston sees 23 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Williston | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 2.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 288 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Williston has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 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 | Williston | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tigard is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Williston.
From a growth perspective, Tigard is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Williston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Williston | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,401 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Williston
Advantages
The unemployment rate in Williston is significantly lower than the national average, standing at 2.50% in August 2026.
Williston offers a relatively short average commute time of 17.6 minutes, less than the national average.
The city provides ample outdoor recreation opportunities, including access to the Missouri River and Lake Sakakawea for water sports, fishing, and hunting.
The average rent in Williston is 34% lower than the national average, making it a more affordable place to live for renters.
Williston has a strong sense of community and friendly residents, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere.
Drawbacks
The overall crime rate in Williston is 29.9% higher than the national average, with a violent crime rate 21.8% higher.
Public transportation options are limited, making the city highly car-dependent.
Some residents express concerns about safety, particularly regarding walking alone at night.
While growing, the city is noted by some as lacking in diverse attractions and shopping compared to larger cities.
The population has shown a recent annual decline of -0.41%, suggesting a potential slowdown in growth.
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.
Williston
#293North Dakota, USA
61.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,249
Avg Salary
$45,046
Cost Index
95
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
30.0/100
Sunny Days
288/yr
Avg Temp
43.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
70
Business
75
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Williston and Tigard.
Open Cost Calculator