Kirkland, WA vs Lafayette, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Kirkland
68
#1358 nationally
Lafayette
62.7
#1832 nationally
Kirkland leads in walk score (51 vs 26). Lafayette leads in median household income ($219,250 vs $135,608). Kirkland leads in cost of living index (179 vs 280).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Lafayette, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68 (#1358) | 62.7 (#1832) |
| Population | 91,194 | 25,048 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,212,741 | $1,941,109 |
| Median Household Income | $135,608 | $219,250 |
| Average Commute | 25.5 min | 29.7 min |
| Walk Score | 51 | 26 |
| Crime Level | 1.7 | 2.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 179 | 280 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | D+38.0 |
D+
68 Score
Kirkland, WA
Washington community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,212,741
Population
91,194
Crime
Low
Walk Score
51
Pacific
View Kirkland, WA →
D-
62.7 Score
Lafayette, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,941,109
Population
25,048
Crime
Low
Walk Score
26
Pacific
View Lafayette, CA →