Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Kirkland
12.4%
White
Boston
47.8%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Kirkland
10.0%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Kirkland
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 57,088 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 37.7 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 12.4% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 21.5% | 6.1% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 10.0% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 12.7% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Kirkland
$87,277
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Kirkland
$41,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Kirkland
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Kirkland
32.2%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $87,277 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $41,024 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $76,120 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 32.2% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Boston +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $1,274,801 | Boston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
Kirkland
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Boston, MA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 383 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3409 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Kirkland
18.1%
Kirkland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 18.1% | Kirkland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Kirkland
28.2 min
Kirkland +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 28.2 min | Kirkland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while boston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $793,154. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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