Kirkland WA vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Kirkland +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 38.2 | Kirkland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 66.8% | 49.1% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 7.1% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Stamford
$708,498
Stamford +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $708,498 | Stamford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 47.5% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Stamford
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Stamford
14.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Stamford
8.7%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 25.5% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 8.6% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 14.4% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 12.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 8.7% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Kirkland +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 30.1 min | Kirkland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while stamford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $708,498. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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