Kirkland WA vs Santa Ana CA — 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Kirkland +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Santa Ana
9.8%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 91,535 | Santa Ana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 42.9 | Kirkland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.8% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 6.1% | 4.9% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 9.8% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 11.6% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Santa Ana
$865,610
Santa Ana +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $865,610 | Santa Ana + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 28.8% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Santa Ana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 29.0% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 13.0% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 18.7% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 20.7% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 11.6% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while santa Ana offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $865,610. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. 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%.
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