Kirkland WA vs New Braunfels TX — 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%
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Kirkland +
New Braunfels
267
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Kirkland +
New Braunfels
39.4
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
New Braunfels
8.2%
White
Kirkland
66.8%
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
New Braunfels
15.7%
New Braunfels +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 267 | Kirkland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 39.4 | Kirkland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 8.2% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.8% | 84.3% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 6.1% | 0.0% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 0.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 15.7% | New Braunfels + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
New Braunfels
$74,643
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
New Braunfels
$21,360
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
New Braunfels
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
New Braunfels
N/A
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
New Braunfels
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
New Braunfels
1.8%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $74,643 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $21,360 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 1.8% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
New Braunfels
$352,129
New Braunfels +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $352,129 | New Braunfels + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 90.8% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
New Braunfels
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
New Braunfels
2339
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | New Braunfels + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
New Braunfels
34.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
New Braunfels
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
New Braunfels
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
New Braunfels
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Kirkland +
New Braunfels
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
New Braunfels
11.0%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 34.6% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 10.6% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 16.0% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 15.2% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.1% | Kirkland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
New Braunfels
34.0 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
New Braunfels
55.0%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kirkland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 19.6 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while new Braunfels offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $352,129. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in New Braunfels. 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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