Kirkland WA vs Pittsburgh PA — 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 9.3% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.8% | 63.7% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 5.8% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 4.2% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $64,137 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,080 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 19.5% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 47.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kirkland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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