Kirkland WA vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Pasadena
125,983
Pasadena +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 125,983 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 36.5 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 66.8% | 45.5% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Pasadena
17.1%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 39.1% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 14.6% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 17.8% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 32.1% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.1% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 14.6% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Pasadena, TX | 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 +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Pasadena, 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
Kirkland +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 36.1 min | Kirkland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, 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