Cary NC 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)
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
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
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Kirkland
37.7
Kirkland +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Kirkland
12.4%
White
Cary
60.1%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Kirkland
10.0%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 57,088 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 37.7 | Kirkland + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 12.4% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 7.6% | 6.1% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 10.0% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 12.7% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Kirkland
$87,277
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Kirkland
$41,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Kirkland
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Kirkland
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Kirkland
32.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $87,277 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $41,024 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.1% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 11.0% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 32.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Cary +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Kirkland
57.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $1,274,801 | Cary + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 57.2% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cary +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Cary, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Kirkland
14.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 14.2% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.1% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 28.2 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while cary offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $629,864. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, 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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