Kirkland WA vs Norwalk 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%
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Norwalk
100,713
Norwalk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Norwalk
36.5
Norwalk +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Norwalk
24.0%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Norwalk
4.2%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 100,713 | Norwalk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 36.5 | Norwalk + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 32.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 66.8% | 24.0% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 4.2% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 13.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 69.5% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Norwalk
$31,989
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Norwalk
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
Norwalk
21.3%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $98,709 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $31,989 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.6% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 9.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 21.3% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Norwalk
$765,319
Norwalk +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $765,319 | Norwalk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 68.1% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Norwalk
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Norwalk
2388
Norwalk +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Norwalk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Norwalk
26.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Norwalk
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Norwalk
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Norwalk
15.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Norwalk
10.5%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 26.9% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 12.7% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 16.1% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 15.4% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.3% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 10.5% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Norwalk, 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 +
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Norwalk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Norwalk, 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
Kirkland +
Norwalk
32.1 min
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 32.1 min | Kirkland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while norwalk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,319. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Norwalk. 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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