Kirkland WA vs Westminster 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Westminster
115,546
Westminster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Westminster
37.5
Westminster +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 115,546 | Westminster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.5 | Westminster + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 8.2% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.8% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 6.1% | 1.2% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 4.7% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Westminster
$528,447
Westminster +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $528,447 | Westminster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Westminster
3234
Westminster +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 512 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3234 | Westminster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Westminster
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Westminster
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Westminster
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Kirkland +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Westminster
11.1%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 27.7% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 8.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 16.1% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 11.1% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.7% | Kirkland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 11.1% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Westminster, 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Kirkland +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 28.6 min | Kirkland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, while westminster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $528,447. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster 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%.
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