Kirkland WA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 66.8% | 61.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 8.2% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Seattle
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Seattle
$871,599
Seattle +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $871,599 | Seattle + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 44.3% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Seattle
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Seattle
3409
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 383 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3409 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Seattle
22.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Seattle
6.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Kirkland +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Seattle
6.5%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 22.2% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 15.3% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 6.1% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.0% | Kirkland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 6.5% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Kirkland +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 28.8 min | Kirkland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while seattle offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $871,599. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle 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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