Kirkland WA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
Salem
12.2%
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 12.2% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.8% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 6.1% | 1.6% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 3.5% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $71,900 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $36,477 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,691 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 14.7% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 31.4% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 55.7% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Salem
3001
Salem +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3001 | Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 41.4% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 11.7% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 18.8% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 11.6% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 12.4% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kirkland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. 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%.
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