Kirkland WA vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 66.8% | 31.9% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 2.1% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Santa Rosa +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $720,443 | Santa Rosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 41.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 26.5% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 10.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 16.7% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 10.4% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 11.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while santa Rosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $720,443. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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