Kirkland WA vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Kirkland +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Kirkland +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 28,542 | Kirkland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 42.3 | Kirkland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 6.8% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.8% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 6.1% | 3.1% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 3.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 4.7% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 434 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 38.6% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 12.3% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 19.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 9.7% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 16.9% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Schenectady, NY | 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
Kirkland +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, 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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