Kirkland WA vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Renton
75,721
Renton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 75,721 | Renton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 66.8% | 48.7% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 2.2% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 6.8% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Renton
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Renton
$765,686
Renton +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $765,686 | Renton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 45.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Renton
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Renton
3409
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 383 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3409 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Renton
24.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Renton
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Renton
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Renton
8.9%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 24.0% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 8.5% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 16.0% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 9.1% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 8.9% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 40.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while renton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,686. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton 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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