Living in Kirkland, WA offers a unique combination of lakeside beauty and vibrant community life. Known for its stunning waterfront and welcoming atmosphere, Kirkland is an ideal place for families and individuals alike. The city's numerous parks and recreational facilities, such as Juanita Bay Park and Marina Park, provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities and family fun.
Kirkland’s vibrant community life is highlighted by annual events such as the Kirkland Summerfest and the Winterfest. The city boasts a variety of shopping and dining options, from local boutiques and eateries to major retail centers. Kirkland’s extensive park system offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, and enjoying the great outdoors.
The dining options in Kirkland are diverse and delicious, offering everything from fresh seafood to international cuisine. The city’s farmers markets and local events emphasize fresh, locally sourced ingredients. With a welcoming atmosphere and community-focused amenities, living in Kirkland is a great choice for families and young professionals.
Kirkland’s location offers convenient access to both Seattle and Bellevue, making it ideal for commuters. The city is well-connected by major highways and public transportation options, ensuring easy travel.
For those considering a move to the Pacific Northwest, Kirkland stands out as a top choice. Its blend of lakeside charm, excellent amenities, and strong community spirit make living in Kirkland, WA a truly rewarding experience. Whether you’re drawn by its beautiful scenery, recreational opportunities, or convenient location, Kirkland offers a fantastic place to call home.
Commute
High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.
Crime
This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.
Employment
This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.
Cost Of Living
Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.
Kirkland is a medium-sized city located in the state of Washington. The city has a population of 91,146 people. Kirkland has a population density of 5,119 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. If we look at the most recent Census, Kirkland is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Kirkland, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 27 minutes.
Are you trying to decide if living in Kirkland is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before moving to any new city in Washington, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. To help you find the best places to live in and around Kirkland, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like health & safety, employment, housing and more.
Using data and statistics Kirkland has received a livability score of 83 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 98th percentile when compared to all other cities. Clearly, Kirkland is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Kirkland has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Kirkland has higher than average rankings for the following: crime (A-), education (A+) and housing (B+). Kirkland does not do well for the following: cost of living (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
Low violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, assault) provide a safer environment for residents, reducing the risk of personal harm, property theft or violence. Low crime can also lead to increased property values and desirability. With 116 crimes per 100,000 residents, Kirkland has a violent crime rate that is far below the national average.
Test scores serve as a vital gauge of a school's academic prowess and the proficiency of its students. They play a pivotal role in assessing whether local schools can deliver a robust educational foundation for children. In Kirkland, the schools boast an impressive average test score of 76%, significantly higher than the national average. This outstanding academic achievement not only reflects the excellence of the local educational system, but also indicates the potential for students to thrive academically, making it an attractive destination for families seeking a high-quality education for their children.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Kirkland has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Kirkland real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Kirkland. The median home price for Kirkland homes is $724,700, which is 169.1% higher than the Washington average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Kirkland, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 6.2, which is 44.2% higher than the Washington average.
| Statistic | Kirkland | Washington | National |
| Average one way commute | 27min | 27min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 67.1% | 72.3% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.1% | 10.2% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 8.7% | 6.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.4% | 0.9% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.1% | 3.6% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 11.5% | 5.6% | 4.6% |
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