Kirkland WA vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Reno
7.0%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 66.8% | 63.5% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 3.2% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 7.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $78,448 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $62,696 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 12.5% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $570,934 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 49.4% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Reno
2417
Reno +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 460 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2417 | Reno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Reno
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Kirkland +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 28.4% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 9.5% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 18.5% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 13.0% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.9% | Kirkland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 12.8% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Reno
8.3 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while reno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,934. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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