El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Kirkland
12.4%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Kirkland
12.7%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 57,088 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.7 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 12.4% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 3.6% | 6.1% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 12.7% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 32.2% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Kirkland
57.2%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $1,274,801 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 57.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.1% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kirkland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 28.2 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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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