Kirkland WA vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 66.8% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 6.1% | 2.7% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $74,925 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $60,713 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 13.4% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $580,126 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 46.8% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Salt Lake City
7.9%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 29.5% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 7.9% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 18.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 12.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 7.9% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while salt Lake City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,126. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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