Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 57,088 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.7 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 12.4% | Kirkland + |
| White | 49.4% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 38.7% | 6.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 12.7% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Kirkland
32.2%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 32.2% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $1,274,801 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Kirkland
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3409 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 18.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kirkland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 28.2 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. 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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