Kirkland WA vs Murrieta CA — 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%
Murrieta, CA
California · Population: 84,304
- Median HH Income$158,461
- Median Home Price$690,322
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+69.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Murrieta
84,304
Murrieta +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Kirkland +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Murrieta
8.1%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 84,304 | Murrieta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 46.0 | Kirkland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 15.9% | Murrieta + |
| White | 66.8% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 6.1% | 0.7% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 8.1% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 10.1% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Murrieta
$690,322
Murrieta +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Murrieta
53.1%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $690,322 | Murrieta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 53.1% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Murrieta
2388
Murrieta +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Murrieta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Murrieta
33.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Murrieta
10.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Murrieta
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Murrieta
7.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Murrieta
10.0%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 33.4% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 17.0% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 7.5% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.6% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Murrieta, CA | 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 +
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 24.9 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while murrieta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $690,322. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Murrieta has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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