Kirkland WA vs Lubbock TX — 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Lubbock
64.6%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Lubbock
2.8%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 6.2% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.8% | 64.6% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 8.3% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 2.8% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Lubbock
$60,487
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Lubbock
$34,629
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Lubbock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $60,487 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $34,629 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 19.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 34.9% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Lubbock
50.8%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 50.8% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Lubbock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Lubbock
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Lubbock
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Lubbock
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Lubbock
17.6%
Lubbock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Lubbock
13.0%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 35.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 11.8% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 18.5% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 18.4% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.6% | Lubbock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 13.0% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Lubbock
21.1 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 21.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
Lubbock
55.0%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kirkland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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