Kirkland WA vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 66.8% | 63.5% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 2.2% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 5.8% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Thornton
3234
Thornton +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 512 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3234 | Thornton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 31.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 8.8% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 17.0% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 15.2% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 12.6% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Thornton, CO | 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
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Kirkland +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 32.8 min | Kirkland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Thornton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
Compare More Cities
Kirkland, WA vs New York, NYKirkland, WA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Kirkland, WAHouston, TX vs Kirkland, WAKirkland, WA vs Phoenix, AZKirkland, WA vs Philadelphia, PA