Kirkland WA vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 12.2% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.8% | 59.4% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 8.8% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Tacoma
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $83,857 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 12.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 56.5% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Tacoma
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Tacoma
3409
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Tacoma, 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 +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 37.3% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 10.9% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 18.7% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 9.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 11.9% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Tacoma, 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 +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 31.1 min | Kirkland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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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