Atlanta GA vs Kirkland WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 57,088 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.7 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 12.4% | Kirkland + |
| White | 39.9% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 46.9% | 6.1% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 12.7% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Kirkland
$41,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Kirkland
32.2%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $41,024 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 32.2% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $1,274,801 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 383 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3409 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 18.1% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kirkland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Kirkland
28.2 min
Kirkland +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 28.2 min | Kirkland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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