Kirkland, WA vs Matthews, NC
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
Matthews
68.7
#1294 nationally
Kirkland leads in walk score (51 vs 16). Kirkland leads in crime level (1.7 vs 5.1). Matthews leads in cost of living index (116 vs 179).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Matthews, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68 (#1358) | 68.7 (#1294) |
| Population | 91,194 | 30,934 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,212,741 | $514,763 |
| Median Household Income | $135,608 | $103,405 |
| Average Commute | 25.5 min | 26.9 min |
| Walk Score | 51 | 16 |
| Crime Level | 1.7 | 5.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 179 | 116 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | D+32.9 |
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+
68.7 Score
Matthews, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$514,763
Population
30,934
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
16
Southeast
View Matthews, NC →