Kirkland WA vs San Marcos 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%
San Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
San Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 99,507 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 5.8% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.8% | 66.6% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 4.3% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 1.4% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $64,146 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $33,835 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 11.9% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 24.9% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
San Marcos
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Kirkland +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
San Marcos
11.0%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 33.6% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 7.9% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 22.3% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 19.7% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.7% | Kirkland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| 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 +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | San Marcos, 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
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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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