Kirkland WA vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Kirkland +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 38.0 | Kirkland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 8.5% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.8% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 6.1% | 1.4% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 4.1% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Lakewood
$85,789
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $85,789 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Lakewood
$575,076
Lakewood +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $575,076 | Lakewood + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Lakewood
3234
Lakewood +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 512 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3234 | Lakewood + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Lakewood
23.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Lakewood
8.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Lakewood
15.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Kirkland +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Lakewood
10.7%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 23.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 8.7% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 15.8% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 10.6% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.7% | Kirkland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 10.7% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Lakewood
17.3 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Kirkland +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 28.6 min | Kirkland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while lakewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $575,076. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
Compare More Cities
Kirkland, WA vs New York, NYKirkland, WA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Kirkland, WAHouston, TX vs Kirkland, WAKirkland, WA vs Phoenix, AZKirkland, WA vs Philadelphia, PA