Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Kirkland
12.4%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Kirkland
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 57,088 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.7 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 12.4% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 17.1% | 6.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 12.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Kirkland
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,120 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 32.2% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $1,274,801 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Kirkland
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 383 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3409 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Kirkland
28.2 min
Kirkland +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 28.2 min | Kirkland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while elizabeth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,592. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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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