Kirkland WA vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 10.8% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.8% | 36.5% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 4.8% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $51,888 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $29,679 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $61,837 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 23.3% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 26.6% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 41.5% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 41.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 14.7% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 19.1% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 14.1% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 17.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Milwaukee, 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
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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