Kirkland WA vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 66.8% | 53.2% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 9.1% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Saint Paul
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $73,055 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,467 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 15.8% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 53.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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