Kirkland WA vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Sandy
94,723
Sandy +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 94,723 | Sandy + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 10.3% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.8% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 6.1% | 0.8% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 3.5% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 11.3% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $60,713 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Sandy
$672,082
Sandy +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $672,082 | Sandy + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Sandy
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Sandy
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Sandy
7.4%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 28.5% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 8.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 16.5% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 8.7% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 7.4% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while sandy offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $672,082. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy 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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