Kirkland WA vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 66.8% | 60.1% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 9.5% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $77,643 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.7% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 16.2% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 41.6% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 450 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Tempe
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Tempe
7.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Kirkland +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Tempe
9.1%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 27.2% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 7.2% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 16.6% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 10.7% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.3% | Kirkland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 9.1% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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