Kirkland WA vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 8.9% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.8% | 54.1% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 1.7% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $52,512 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $29,511 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $58,697 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.0% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 22.6% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 29.4% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 39.7% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 15.2% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 20.3% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 12.6% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 18.2% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kirkland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. 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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