Kirkland WA vs West Palm Beach FL — 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 Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Kirkland +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 119,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 40.2 | Kirkland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 66.8% | 44.0% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 2.5% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $69,261 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,328 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 14.8% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 50.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
West Palm Beach
29.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
West Palm Beach
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 29.1% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 13.7% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 16.4% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 16.9% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 13.0% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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