Kirkland WA vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 66.8% | 53.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 4.7% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 12.7% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Raleigh
$82,424
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Raleigh
11.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $82,424 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 11.4% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 51.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 398 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Raleigh
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Raleigh
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Raleigh
10.5%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 30.9% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 9.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 16.6% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 9.7% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 10.5% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Raleigh, NC | 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
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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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