Kirkland WA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kirkland
57,088
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 66.8% | 58.0% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 6.9% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $67,544 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $35,825 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 19.8% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 42.4% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 35.3% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 11.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 19.9% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 8.7% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 14.5% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Worcester 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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