Kirkland WA vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Kirkland +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Kirkland +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 44,998 | Kirkland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 57.8 | Kirkland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 66.8% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 6.1% | 5.4% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 4.5% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Palmdale
$71,979
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Palmdale
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $71,979 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 8.2% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 13.7% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $503,393 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Palmdale
2388
Palmdale +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Palmdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Palmdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 30.3% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 12.8% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 18.6% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 15.7% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 13.1% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Palmdale
7.4 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Palmdale, 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
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. 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