Kirkland WA vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 6.1% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.8% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 6.1% | 2.7% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 2.9% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 7.8% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Spokane
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $65,745 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $38,200 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.0% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 14.6% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Spokane
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Spokane
3409
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Spokane, 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 +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Spokane
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Spokane
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Spokane
17.5%
Spokane +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 35.3% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 10.3% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 18.6% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 8.2% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.5% | Spokane + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 12.7% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Spokane
46.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Spokane, 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
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Spokane 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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