City Comparison
Woden Valley vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Woden Valley scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Woden Valley
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tigard is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Woden Valley.
| Metric | Woden Valley | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,800 | +8% |
| Groceries | $480 | $450 | +7% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $180 | $250 | -28% |
| Monthly Total | $2,950 | $2,800 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Woden Valley offers 11% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Woden Valley delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Woden Valley is estimated at
$60,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Woden Valley | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $85,000 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Woden Valley runs warmer on average — a 57.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Woden Valley comes out ahead with 287 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Woden Valley sees 0.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Woden Valley | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 53.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 56.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 21.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 287 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Woden Valley 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 | Woden Valley | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tigard is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Woden Valley.
From a growth perspective, Woden Valley is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Woden Valley has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Woden Valley | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,500 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Woden Valley
Advantages
Proximity to major employment hubs including the Canberra Hospital and Woden Town Centre.
Abundant green spaces and recreational areas like Mount Taylor Nature Reserve.
High concentration of top-tier healthcare facilities and specialist services.
Strong community infrastructure with established schools, parks, and shopping precincts.
Well-connected public transport and major arterial road links to central Canberra.
Drawbacks
High housing costs and competitive rental market compared to the national average.
Increasing traffic congestion along major arterial routes during peak commuting hours.
Ongoing construction and urban densification causing temporary disruption in the Town Centre.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to central civic areas.
Dependence on vehicular transport for certain outer suburban commutes.
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.
Woden Valley
#9Australian Capital Territory, Australia
64.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
287/yr
Avg Temp
57.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
79
Business
70
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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