Kirkland WA vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 4.8% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.8% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 6.1% | 1.6% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 2.1% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 9.5% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $57,074 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $534,732 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Meridian
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Meridian
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Meridian
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Meridian
10.3%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 28.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 8.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 15.5% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 8.2% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 10.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while meridian offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $534,732. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, 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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