Kirkland WA vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 66.8% | 30.4% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 1.5% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Kirkland +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $2,144,024 | Kirkland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 43.8% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Sunnyvale
2388
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Sunnyvale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Sunnyvale
6.7%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 8.3% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 6.7% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | 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 +
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while kirkland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,274,801. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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