Kirkland WA vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 36.2 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 5.5% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.8% | 27.7% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 3.3% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 4.8% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $55,687 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $32,068 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $51,690 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.5% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 20.9% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Montgomery
54.3%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 54.3% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 400 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Montgomery
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 46.4% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 16.7% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 17.6% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 15.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Kirkland, WA vs New York, NYKirkland, WA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Kirkland, WAHouston, TX vs Kirkland, WAKirkland, WA vs Phoenix, AZKirkland, WA vs Philadelphia, PA