Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 57,088 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.7 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 12.4% | Kirkland + |
| White | 11.7% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 76.8% | 6.1% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 12.7% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 32.2% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $1,274,801 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.1% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kirkland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 28.2 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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