Torn between Beaverton and Tigard for your next move on Portland’s Westside. You have great options on both sides of OR‑217, and the right choice comes down to how you live day to day. In this guide, you’ll see the real tradeoffs in housing, commute, schools and lifestyle so you can choose with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Westside at a glance
Both cities sit close to major employers and shopping, but they differ in scale and housing patterns. Beaverton is larger at about 98,300 residents, while Tigard is around 57,300, according to U.S. Census QuickFacts. You’ll also see different long‑run housing stock values: census owner‑occupied medians show Beaverton near $543,100 and Tigard near $610,500. Owner‑occupancy trends differ too. Beaverton’s owner‑occupied rate is roughly 49.8 percent compared with Tigard’s 61.7 percent, which often translates to more condo and townhome options in Beaverton and a bigger single‑family share in Tigard. Mean commute times are similar, with Beaverton at about 24 minutes and Tigard at about 23 minutes. You can review these figures in U.S. Census QuickFacts.
Housing mix and neighborhood feel
Beaverton options to expect
You’ll find a broad product mix in Beaverton. Near transit corridors, there are many condos and townhomes, plus apartment communities. Farther west and south, single‑family neighborhoods become more common. Within the city, price points vary by pocket. Central Beaverton can feel more urban and transit‑oriented, while areas like Murray Hill and parts of West Beaverton include larger single‑family homes and higher medians. This variety gives you flexibility to balance yard size, home age, and commute convenience.
Tigard options to expect
Tigard leans toward established single‑family neighborhoods and subdivisions, with townhome and condo pockets sprinkled in. Western Tigard and areas around Scholls Ferry often push higher in value, while neighborhoods near Washington Square and along OR‑217 offer strong retail and service access. Downtown Tigard’s Main Street is a compact, walkable node with local businesses and community events, giving you a small‑town center within a suburban setting.
Commute and transportation reality
Beaverton’s transit advantage
If frequent rail is part of your routine, Beaverton is a MAX hub. The Beaverton Transit Center connects the MAX Blue and Red lines with WES commuter rail. The MAX network provides direct, frequent light‑rail service into Portland’s city center, and the Red Line connects to the airport. You can check typical frequencies on TriMet’s MAX Blue Line schedule.
Tigard’s hub‑and‑spoke setup
Tigard is served by TriMet buses and the WES commuter rail at Tigard Transit Center, plus the Washington Square Transit Center. WES is geared to peak commute windows, which works well if your schedule is structured around standard office hours. Because Tigard is not directly on MAX, riders often combine WES and bus, or drive to a nearby MAX station for a single‑seat rail ride. Review WES timing on TriMet’s WES schedule.
What this means for you
- If you rely on frequent, consistent rail to downtown or PDX, Beaverton addresses near MAX stations offer a smoother routine.
- If your daily life centers on Washington Square, Tigard, Tualatin or OR‑217/I‑5/99W access, Tigard often shortens local trips.
- For any address, test door‑to‑door travel at your peak and off‑peak times using TriMet’s tools and a maps app before you commit.
Employers and daily anchors
Proximity to major employers
- Nike’s world headquarters sits in Beaverton, a common reason many buyers pick nearby neighborhoods. See Nike’s location on Nike’s site.
- Intel’s Hillsboro campuses influence Westside commutes across both cities. Learn more about Intel’s Oregon presence via Intel’s Oregon overview.
- South of Tigard, Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center provides a significant employment anchor in Tualatin. Explore Legacy Meridian Park.
- Washington Square and Bridgeport Village corridors drive substantial retail and service jobs. Get a sense of Washington Square’s regional role on Malls.com’s Washington Square profile.
Schools and boundaries
Beaverton is primarily served by Beaverton School District, and Tigard by Tigard‑Tualatin School District. Attendance zones can vary even within a few blocks, so verify the exact boundary for any property you are considering. Both districts publish state report cards and program details. Start with the Beaverton School District and the Tigard‑Tualatin School District.
Use neutral, factual metrics and official district resources to inform your decision. If schools are important to you, pull the most recent report cards for the exact schools that serve the address you have in mind.
Parks, trails and recreation
Beaverton benefits from Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District’s extensive network. A favorite is Tualatin Hills Nature Park, with miles of trails and wildlife viewing. Tigard stands out for Cook Park and Tualatin River access, plus its small downtown node and Main Street. The Washington Square and Bridgeport corridors bring regional shopping and dining, and the Tigard Chamber highlights local options on its shopping and services page.
Who tends to choose which city
Every buyer is different, but these patterns may help you filter your search.
- Family prioritizing yards and easy access to services: You may tilt toward Tigard, which shows a higher owner‑occupancy rate and quick access to major retail at Washington Square and to care at Legacy Meridian Park. Census QuickFacts provides context on owner‑occupancy rates and medians in each city.
- Tech or office professional who values direct rail: You may prefer Beaverton for convenient MAX access and proximity to Nike and the Hillsboro R&D corridor. Check TriMet’s MAX schedules and plan test commutes.
- Value‑focused buyer flexible on commute: You’ll find entry points in both cities. Beaverton generally offers more condo and townhome variety near transit, while Tigard’s entry options often appear in older single‑family stock and select townhome pockets. Neighborhood‑level medians can vary, so confirm with live comps.
What your budget may buy
You’ll see a range of prices across both cities, and the spread can be wide within each neighborhood.
- Entry‑level condos and townhomes: Many westside listings appear in the low‑ to mid‑200s up to the mid‑400s, depending on size, condition and location.
- Typical 3 to 4 bedroom single‑family homes: Many sales cluster from the mid‑400s to the 700s, with newer or upper‑end subdivisions running above that.
Data in this guide reflects research pulled in February 2026. Because inventory and mortgage rates shift, ask for same‑day MLS comps, plus 30‑ and 90‑day neighborhood medians, before you write an offer.
Commute check: How to test your routine
- Map your real drives to OR‑217, US‑26, I‑5 and 99W at your actual commute times.
- Use the TriMet trip planner to compare a Beaverton MAX commute with a Tigard WES plus bus option.
- If you travel often, compare PDX access from both cities using the MAX Red Line from Beaverton and a drive from Tigard during off‑peak and peak hours.
A quick decision checklist
Use this to focus your search before touring.
- Clarify your top three priorities: commute, budget, yard space, or transit access.
- Pull same‑day MLS comps for the exact neighborhood you want. Ask for 30‑ and 90‑day medians, days on market and list‑to‑sale ratios.
- Verify school boundaries and review the most recent district report cards for your target address using the Beaverton School District and Tigard‑Tualatin School District sites.
- Test door‑to‑door commute times with TriMet’s MAX Blue Line and WES schedule, plus a drive‑time check in your usual windows.
- Confirm HOA fees, lot size, and any nearby planned road or development projects by reviewing city planning resources.
- Walk the area at night and on weekends to gauge noise, parking and general feel.
Sample buyer scenarios
- The Nike commuter: You want a shorter, reliable commute to Nike’s campus and easy rail to downtown. Consider areas of Beaverton near MAX and West Beaverton neighborhoods for a balanced routine. Cross‑check travel times during your actual work hours.
- The OR‑217/I‑5 driver: Your daily pattern centers on Washington Square, Tigard and Tualatin, and you drive to client sites. Tigard’s proximity to OR‑217, I‑5 and 99W can trim daily miles and make errands easier.
- The condo‑first buyer: You want a lower‑maintenance home near transit and services. Beaverton typically offers more condo and townhome variety along transit corridors. Tigard has options too, though inventory is often smaller, so expand your search radius by a few miles.
The bottom line
You cannot go wrong with either Beaverton or Tigard. The right fit comes from matching your budget, commute and day‑to‑day routine to the housing mix and amenities each city offers. If frequent rail and proximity to Nike or Hillsboro matter most, look closely at Beaverton. If you want a higher share of single‑family neighborhoods and quick access to Washington Square, Tigard may feel like home.
When you are ready to compare live comps, test commutes and map neighborhoods that fit your lifestyle, connect with Rebecca Lee for a focused Westside strategy. Request a Luxury Consultation & Market Valuation and move forward with clarity.
FAQs
Are homes more affordable in Beaverton or Tigard in 2026
- Census owner‑occupied median values show Beaverton lower than Tigard, but neighborhood‑level medians vary widely in both cities; ask for same‑day MLS comps before deciding.
How different are commute times between Beaverton and Tigard
- U.S. Census QuickFacts reports mean travel times around 24 minutes for Beaverton and 23 minutes for Tigard; your door‑to‑door results will depend on route and time of day.
Is Tigard on the MAX light‑rail network
- Tigard is not directly on MAX; it is served by TriMet buses and the WES commuter rail during peak hours, with transfers to MAX as needed.
What are the transit benefits of living in Beaverton
- Beaverton Transit Center connects MAX Blue and Red lines for frequent, direct trips to downtown and the airport, plus WES for peak‑hour commuter service.
How should I evaluate schools when choosing between Beaverton and Tigard
- Verify the exact attendance boundary for your property and review the most recent district report cards on the Beaverton and Tigard‑Tualatin district websites.
Where are the major shopping and service hubs nearby
- Washington Square and Bridgeport Village corridors provide regional shopping and employment anchors, with additional local businesses on Tigard’s Main Street and throughout Beaverton.
