Kirkland WA vs Richmond CA — 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Richmond
115,396
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Richmond
37.6
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 115,396 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.6 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 66.8% | 21.4% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 17.3% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Richmond
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Richmond
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Richmond
32.6%
Richmond +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.0% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 13.7% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 32.6% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Richmond
$608,357
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Richmond
52.5%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $608,357 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 52.5% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Richmond
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Richmond
2388
Richmond +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Richmond
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Richmond
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Richmond
11.9%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 32.9% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 12.9% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 17.8% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 13.9% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 11.9% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Richmond
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Richmond
24.9 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 24.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Kirkland +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 37.7 min | Kirkland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $608,357. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Richmond. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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