Kirkland WA vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Minneapolis
61.6%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 66.8% | 61.6% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 5.2% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 10.5% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Minneapolis
$80,269
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Minneapolis
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $80,269 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,467 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.7% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 16.4% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 48.0% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Minneapolis
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Minneapolis
7.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Minneapolis
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Kirkland +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 28.6% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 7.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 17.1% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 9.9% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.8% | Kirkland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 12.7% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Minneapolis
30.6 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 30.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 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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