Kirkland WA vs West Covina 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%
West Covina, CA
California · Population: 107,436
- Median HH Income$98,570
- Median Home Price$851,613
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+29.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
West Covina
107,436
West Covina +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Kirkland +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 107,436 | West Covina + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 40.1 | Kirkland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 66.8% | 20.0% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 4.1% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
West Covina
$38,100
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $38,100 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.2% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 29.8% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
West Covina
$851,613
West Covina +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $851,613 | West Covina + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
West Covina
2388
West Covina +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | West Covina + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
West Covina
23.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
West Covina
14.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
West Covina
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
West Covina
9.6%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 23.5% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 12.8% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 14.7% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 11.4% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 9.6% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | West Covina, 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 +
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | West Covina, 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
Kirkland +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 36.1 min | Kirkland + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while west Covina offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $851,613. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in West Covina. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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