What to know when moving to Kirkland, WA
Kirkland at a Glance
- The Vibe:
- A highly educated community where 73.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree.
- The Major Draw:
- Median household income is $174,005, making it a financially attractive location.
- The Reality Check:
- Median rent is $2,386, which may be high for some budgets.
- Commute:
- Only 4.3% of residents use public transit.
- Top Tip:
- Budget for $2,386/mo rent if you're looking to move here.
The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?
Kirkland is a city that showcases a well-educated population, with 73.3% of residents having attained a bachelor's degree. The community also has a relatively low poverty rate of 6%, which can contribute to a stable living environment. With 36.2% of residents renting, it's clear there is a mix of homeowners and renters, but be prepared for higher housing costs as the median home value is around $1,259,900.
Probably not your spot if you are looking for low housing costs, as the median gross rent is $2,386.
Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot
- Median gross rent is $2,386, suggesting a significant budget may be necessary for housing.
- Median owner-occupied home value is $1,259,900, indicating a competitive housing market.
- 73.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, highlighting a well-educated community.
- Poverty rate is 6%, contributing to the overall economic health of the area.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.
Crime & Safety: What the Numbers Say
Crime data for Washington shows a downward trend in both violent and property crime rates, indicating potential improvements in safety.
- Violent crime rate is 282.2 per 100k, which is 13.2% lower than the national average of 325.3 per 100k.
- Property crime rate is 1940.4 per 100k, which is 25.4% higher than the national average of 1546.9 per 100k.
- A notable trend is that the homicide rate has decreased by 46.1% since 2022.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (state-level summarized data for Washington).
Schools & Higher Ed
Kirkland has access to a number of educational institutions, with 29 total schools nearby and 28 of those having College Scorecard data available.
- Local institutions include Lake Washington Institute of Technology and Northwest University.
- Nearby access also includes schools like Bellevue College and DigiPen Institute of Technology.
Source: NCES Postsecondary School Locations, U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Weather & Getting Outside
Kirkland experiences an annual precipitation of about 37.6 inches spread over 147 rainy days. This means you should be prepared for wet weather, particularly in the fall and winter.
- Parks & outdoor spots worth checking out:
- Juanita Beach Park - 4.6 stars (5,696 reviews)
- Volunteer Park - 4.8 stars (5,507 reviews)
- Woodland Park Zoo - 4.6 stars (22,892 reviews)
- Olympic Sculpture Park - 4.5 stars (9,214 reviews)
Sources: NOAA Climate Data Online, Google Places.