Glendale 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)
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
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
Glendale
192,270
Glendale +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Kirkland
37.7
Kirkland +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Kirkland
12.4%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Kirkland
66.8%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Kirkland
10.0%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
Kirkland
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 57,088 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 37.7 | Kirkland + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 12.4% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 66.8% | Glendale + |
| Black | 1.7% | 6.1% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 10.0% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 12.7% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Kirkland
$41,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Kirkland
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
Kirkland
32.2%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $41,024 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 32.2% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Glendale +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $1,274,801 | Glendale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Glendale +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
24.5%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.1% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, 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
Glendale
30.2 min
Kirkland
28.2 min
Kirkland +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 28.2 min | Kirkland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while glendale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,205,826. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Glendale. 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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