Cost of Living in Kirkland, WA

Kirkland is a mid-sized city in King County, Washington, located on the eastern shore of Lake Washington.

Cost of living index used here is based on a US average of 100. An amount below 100 would mean Kirkland is cheaper than the US average. A cost-of-living index above 100 means Kirkland, Washington is more expensive. Kirkland cost of living is 179.2, which is higher than the national average.

Please note that these figures are approximate and can vary depending on individual circumstances.

Kirkland presents an interesting option for more expensive living based somewhere close by Washington’s King County featuring median home values averaging above $1,100,000 and rent typically lands around $3,000 depending upon desired amenities - notably higher compared to other parts of The Evergreen State such as Redmond or Bothell which are located further eastward.

“The average cost of living in Kirkland is $2747 (total with rent for one person; $6,339 for a family of four), which is in the top 2% of the most expensive cities in the world, ranked 205th out of 9294 in our global list, 170th out of 2202 in the United States, and 4th out of 54 in Washington.”

“According to C2ER (the Council for Community and Economic Research), the cost of living in Kirkland is estimated to be 156.7 % of the national average making it one of the most expensive cities in the US.”

Let's see how much of total costs goes to housing. As I mentioned above, the median house in Kirkland costs $1.1 million dollars as of September 2023. If we split city into zip codes, south part and downtown located in 98033 zip code will have an even higher housing cost of $1.5 million dollars. Northern part of Kirkland that is in 98034 zip code will have $900,000.

Residential properties in Kirkland (detached houses) will cost you $1,400,000, while condominiums will cost $587,500.

One-bedroom property will cost you around $401,500 in Kirkland ($574,750 in 98033 zip code, and $365,000 in 98034 zip). According to Rent.com, average rent for one-bedroom apartment in Kirkland is $1,750 at least.

Two-bedroom place to buy in Kirkland will cost $575,000. Keep in mind that houses will be more expensive. So, for two-bedroom house you'll need $1,142,000, but for condo that sum is $532,000. The average 2-bedroom rent in Kirkland, WA is $2,300 a month.

Three bedrooms home to buy will cost $1,100,000, with residential properties being $1,102,500, while condominiums are $$1,017,500. Rent on average would be over $3,500 a month.

For 4 bedrooms and more, you'll have to spend $1,649,000. Houses will be around $1,650,000, condominiums $1,459,750. Rents for this size of property is now going around $5,300 a month (and more).

Pros And Cons of Living in Kirkland, Washington

Kirkland is a beautiful, highly sought-after place to live with a rich culture and vibrant economy. But, like any city, it has its downsides too. Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons of living in Kirkland, Washington:

PROS

Only 20-30 minutes from Seattle
Beautiful waterfront parks
Vibrant downtown area with plenty of restaurants, art galleries, and boutique shops
Abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation
Family-friendly atmosphere
Highly rated public schools
Low crime rates
Known for wineries.