Escondido CA 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Escondido +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Kirkland
37.7
Kirkland +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Kirkland
12.4%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Kirkland
10.0%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Kirkland
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 57,088 | Escondido + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.7 | Kirkland + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 12.4% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 0.6% | 6.1% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 10.0% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 12.7% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Kirkland
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 32.2% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Escondido +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $1,274,801 | Escondido + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Escondido +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Escondido + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.1% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Kirkland
28.2 min
Kirkland +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 28.2 min | Kirkland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while escondido offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $849,335. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Escondido. 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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