Tualatin, OR vs. Tigard, OR: Cost of Living Comparison (2025)
This article provides a cost of living comparison: Tualatin vs Tigard. It is perfect for families relocating, professionals choosing between job offers, or anyone comparing the real-life cost of Tualatin vs Tigard in 2025.
Housing Costs
Housing is often the biggest factor in cost of living. Here’s how Tualatin and Tigard compare for typical housing:
| Housing Type | Tualatin | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Median 2BR Apartment Rent | $1,850 | $1,950 |
| Median 3BR Home Price | $550,000 | $585,000 |
🏆 Winner: Tualatin
Utilities and Energy Costs
Utility costs are fairly similar between the two cities. Expect monthly bills around:
- Electricity: $90-120
- Gas: $50-80 (higher in winter)
- Water/Sewer/Trash: $90-110
Both cities offer budget billing programs to even out seasonal spikes. Tigard has slightly lower water and sewer rates.
🏆 Winner: Tigard
Groceries and Daily Expenses
Grocery and restaurant prices are comparable in Tualatin and Tigard. Budget around $400-500/month per adult for groceries, plus $250-350/month for dining out.
Gas prices and everyday goods are also similar. Neither city has a clear advantage for daily expenses.
🏆 Winner: Tie
Taxes and Fees
Tualatin has a slightly lower property tax rate of $12.50 per $1,000 assessed value vs $13.18 in Tigard. However, many Tualatin neighborhoods have HOA fees of $200-400/month, while Tigard HOAs are less common.
Both cities charge around $100/year for parks and recreation. Vehicle registration is handled at the state level.
🏆 Winner: Tualatin (unless you have high HOA fees)
Cost Summary Table
| Category | Tualatin | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (3BR Home) | $2,750 | $2,925 |
| Utilities | $250 | $240 |
| Groceries | $500 | $500 |
| Transportation | $200 | $180 |
| Taxes | $570 | $600 |
| Misc | $400 | $400 |
Estimated Monthly Total: $4,670 in Tualatin, $4,845 in Tigard
All income figures are expressed in gross monthly income (pre-tax). For more details, see our Monthly Budget Examples for Tualatin Residents.
Lifestyle Fit
While the costs are similar, Tualatin and Tigard offer different vibes:
- Tualatin has more suburban space but longer commutes to Portland.
- Tigard is more walkable and transit-friendly but has smaller lots.
Tualatin averages 3°F warmer in summer than Tigard. Both get steady rain Oct-May.
FAQ
Is Tualatin more affordable than Tigard?
Slightly. Housing and taxes are a bit lower in Tualatin, leading to savings of around $175/month. However, this can vary based on your specific neighborhood, commute, and lifestyle.
Which city has lower rent?
Tualatin rent prices are about 5% lower on average vs Tigard in 2025.
Where is it cheaper to buy a home?
Tualatin has a lower median home price by about $35,000 compared to Tigard. Property taxes are also marginally lower in Tualatin.
Conclusion
For a full breakdown, read our Cost of Living in Tualatin (2025 Guide).
In general, Tualatin offers better value for:
- Families seeking suburban space
- Households prioritizing lower housing costs
- People who don’t mind driving more
While Tigard tends to fit:
- Young professionals wanting a shorter commute
- Singles and DINKs (dual income, no kids)
- Anyone relying on public transit
Ultimately, both cities provide a relatively affordable slice of Portland metro living, and your specific needs can tip the scales. We recommend visiting each to get a feel for which area suits your lifestyle best.