Kirkland WA vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
Madison
11.6%
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 11.6% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.8% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 6.1% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 8.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 9.3% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $76,983 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $61,837 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 16.2% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 46.6% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Madison
7.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Madison
7.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Kirkland +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 32.7% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 7.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 16.5% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 7.9% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 20.8% | Kirkland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 10.2% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kirkland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, 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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