Kirkland WA vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 9.2% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.8% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 6.1% | 4.2% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 4.5% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 8.8% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $69,991 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $39,187 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $66,354 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 12.6% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 55.8% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Lincoln
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Lincoln
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Kirkland +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 35.1% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 9.5% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 15.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 9.6% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 20.6% | Kirkland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 12.5% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 29.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, 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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