Kirkland WA vs Plano 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Kirkland +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 39.3 | Kirkland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 66.8% | 53.2% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Plano
$507,575
Plano +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $507,575 | Plano + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 56.6% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Plano
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Plano
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Plano
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Plano
8.8%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 31.2% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 9.9% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 10.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 8.8% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Plano, 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 +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Plano, 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
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 27.6 min | Plano + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while plano offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,575. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, 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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