Grand Island NE 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)

Grand Island, NE

Nebraska · Population: N/A

  • Median HH IncomeN/A
  • Median Home Price$254,245
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+N/A

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
Grand Island
N/A
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Kirkland
12.4%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Kirkland
66.8%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Kirkland
10.0%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Kirkland
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Kirkland
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Kirkland
$87,277
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Kirkland
$41,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Kirkland
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Kirkland
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Kirkland
32.2%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Kirkland
57.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Kirkland
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
Kirkland
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Kirkland
18.1%
Kirkland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Kirkland
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Kirkland
28.2 min

Which City is Right for You?

Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Grand Island & Kirkland