City Comparison
Renton vs Kirkland
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kirkland scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Renton
Kirkland
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Renton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Kirkland.
| Metric | Renton | Kirkland | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $2,250 | -7% |
| Groceries | $480 | $520 | -8% |
| Utilities | $190 | $175 | +9% |
| Transport | $130 | $140 | -7% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $210 | +24% |
| Monthly Total | $3,160 | $3,295 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 145 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kirkland offers 20% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kirkland delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Renton is estimated at
$65,000 vs $85,000 in Kirkland.
| Metric | Renton | Kirkland |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $98,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $85,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,778 idx | 67,586 idx |
| Household Income | $92,000 | $128,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Kirkland sees 1.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Renton | Kirkland |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.30°F | 53.10°F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | 75.80°F |
| Winter Low | 36.60°F | 34.90°F |
| Rainfall | 50.70 in | 43.50 in |
| Snowfall | 10.60 in | 12.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 225 | 229 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Kirkland scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kirkland leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Renton | Kirkland |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 64.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 58.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Renton is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Kirkland.
From a growth perspective, Renton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Renton | Kirkland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,000 | 93,245 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Renton
Advantages
Strategic Puget Sound location with convenient access to Seattle, Bellevue, and Sea-Tac International Airport
Stunning natural amenities including Lake Washington waterfront access and Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
Diverse and inclusive community with a rich cultural fabric and active local neighborhoods
Strong local economy anchored by aerospace manufacturing, healthcare, and technology
Vibrant downtown City Centre undergoing continuous revitalization and new dining developments
Drawbacks
Elevated cost of living and housing prices significantly higher than the U.S. national average
Significant traffic congestion along major commuter corridors such as Interstate 405 during peak hours
Higher-than-average property crime rates typical of growing urban and suburban transition zones
Frequent Pacific Northwest overcast weather and high annual rainfall totals
Competitive real estate market making homeownership difficult for middle-income buyers
Kirkland
Advantages
Stunning waterfront access with miles of parks, beaches, and public docks along Lake Washington
Exceptional public school system consistently ranked among the best in Washington State
Extremely low crime rates and high neighborhood safety profiles compared to national averages
Proximity to major tech employers in Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond with robust local job opportunities
Vibrant downtown core featuring top-tier dining, boutique shopping, and local arts culture
Drawbacks
Significantly high cost of living and housing expenses well above the national average
Heavy traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along I-405 and major local corridors
Competitive real estate market making homeownership difficult for middle-income buyers
Overcast and rainy weather pattern during the extended autumn and winter seasons
Limited rapid transit rail options, leading to reliance on bus networks and personal vehicles
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Renton
#521Washington, USA
51.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
135
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
225/yr
Avg Temp
54.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
72
Kirkland
#420Washington, USA
57.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,250
Avg Salary
$98,000
Cost Index
145
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
229/yr
Avg Temp
53.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
90
Business
78
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