Kirkland WA vs Lafayette LA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Lafayette
59.1%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 121,537 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.1 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 6.6% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.8% | 59.1% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 2.1% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 7.6% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Lafayette
$39,861
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $61,454 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $39,861 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $55,297 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 19.1% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 55.0% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Lafayette
2824
Lafayette +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 643 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2824 | Lafayette + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Lafayette
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Lafayette
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 34.5% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 14.0% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 18.4% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 8.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.8% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 16.1% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette 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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