Charlotte 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Kirkland
12.4%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Kirkland
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 57,088 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 37.7 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 12.4% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 34.1% | 6.1% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 12.7% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Kirkland
$41,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Kirkland
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Kirkland
32.2%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $41,024 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.1% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 32.2% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $1,274,801 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 18.1% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, 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
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 28.2 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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