Kirkland WA vs Round Rock 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%
Round Rock, TX
Texas · Population: 124,288
- Median HH Income$97,187
- Median Home Price$411,570
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Round Rock
124,288
Round Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Round Rock
36.2
Round Rock +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Round Rock
58.3%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Round Rock
11.2%
Round Rock +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Round Rock
7.3%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 124,288 | Round Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 36.2 | Round Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 15.5% | Round Rock + |
| White | 66.8% | 58.3% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 11.2% | Round Rock + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 7.3% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 29.1% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Round Rock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $97,187 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $47,829 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.6% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 7.7% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 43.6% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Round Rock
$411,570
Round Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Round Rock
56.3%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $411,570 | Round Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 56.3% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Round Rock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Round Rock
2339
Round Rock +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | Round Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Round Rock
34.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Round Rock
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Round Rock
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Round Rock
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Round Rock
17.3%
Round Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Round Rock
10.6%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 34.2% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 9.8% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 16.6% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 14.1% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.3% | Round Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 10.6% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Round Rock
35.7 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
Round Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Round Rock, 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
Round Rock
26.1 min
Round Rock +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 26.1 min | Round Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, while round Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,570. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Round Rock. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Kirkland, WA vs New York, NYKirkland, WA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Kirkland, WAHouston, TX vs Kirkland, WAKirkland, WA vs Phoenix, AZKirkland, WA vs Philadelphia, PA