Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Kirkland
12.4%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 57,088 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.7 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 12.4% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 29.0% | 6.1% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.7% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Kirkland
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Kirkland
32.2%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 32.2% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $1,274,801 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Kirkland
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3409 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Kirkland
18.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 28.2 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. Columbus 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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