Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Kirkland
12.4%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Kirkland
10.0%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 57,088 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.7 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 12.4% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 7.4% | 6.1% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 10.0% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 12.7% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Kirkland
$87,277
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Kirkland
$41,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Kirkland
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Kirkland
32.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $87,277 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $41,024 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 32.2% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Kirkland +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $1,274,801 | Kirkland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Kirkland
18.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Kirkland
28.2 min
Kirkland +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 28.2 min | Kirkland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while kirkland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,274,801. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. 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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