Kirkland WA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 66.8% | 16.5% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 1.9% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $48,416 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $25,509 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 10.9% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 24.7% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 17.4% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $482,675 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 24.1% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 35.9% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 14.6% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 20.0% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 23.4% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 18.2% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Kirkland +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 35.9 min | Kirkland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while newark offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $482,675. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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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