Chula Vista 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Kirkland
57,088
Kirkland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Kirkland
37.7
Kirkland +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Kirkland
12.4%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Kirkland
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 57,088 | Kirkland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.7 | Kirkland + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 12.4% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 0.7% | 6.1% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 12.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Kirkland
$87,277
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Kirkland
$41,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Kirkland
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Kirkland
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Kirkland
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $87,277 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $41,024 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 5.1% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 11.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 32.2% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Chula Vista +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Kirkland
57.2%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $1,274,801 | Chula Vista + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 57.2% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Chula Vista +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Chula Vista + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.1% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, 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
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Chula Vista +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 28.2 min | Chula Vista + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while chula Vista offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $849,245. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Chula Vista, CA vs New York, NYChula Vista, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Chula Vista, CAChula Vista, CA vs Houston, TXChula Vista, CA vs Phoenix, AZChula Vista, CA vs Philadelphia, PA