Kirkland WA vs Paterson 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Paterson
N/A
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 66.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 6.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 10.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 37.5% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 16.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 18.6% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 28.6% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 16.4% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Paterson, NJ | 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 +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Paterson, 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
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Paterson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $527,542. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. 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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