Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Buckeye, AZ
VS
Kirkland, WA
🏆 Buckeye leads 12 of 22 categories
Buckeye
Arizona
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$94,188
Violent Crime Index
44
Population
95,042 ✓ Larger
Kirkland
Washington
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$135,608 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
16 ✓ Safer
Population
92,015
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Buckeye, AZ
Pros
Homes cost $596k less ($341,700 vs $937,700)
Rent averages $653/mo less ($1,597 vs $2,250)
Violent crime is well below the national average (166.8 vs 380/100k)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Kirkland
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 47°F
Cons
Median income trails Kirkland by $41,420/yr
Longer commutes — 32.5 min average each way
Hot summers — July highs average 107°F
Kirkland, WA
Pros
64% less violent crime than Buckeye
Households earn $41,420 more per year on average
More college-educated — 62.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (60.6 vs 380/100k)
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 107°F
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $937,700
Higher rents — median is $2,250/mo
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Buckeye
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Key Differences at a Glance
Buckeye
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 100.0 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Buckeye
Median Home Value
$596k less
$341,700 vs $937,700
Buckeye
Summer Heat
30.0°F warmer
July avg high 106.5°F vs 76.5°F
Kirkland
Median Income
$41,420
$135,608 vs $94,188/yr
Kirkland
Violent Crime
64% lower
60.6 vs 166.8 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Buckeye, AZ | Kirkland, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.0 ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $341,700⚠ High ✓ Lower | $937,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,597⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,250⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $94,188 | $135,608 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.5 min⚠ High | 25.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 14.2% | 24.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 41 ✓ Safer | 48 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 44 | 16 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 37 ✓ Safer | 96 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (72) | C+ (89) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.2:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.9% | 62.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.2% | 96.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Litchfield Elementary District (4281) | Lake Washington Institute of Technology |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 66.1°F ✓ Warmer | 47.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 106.5°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.0" ✓ Drier | 37.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 3.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,042 ✓ Larger | 92,015 |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.3% ✓ Higher | 62.1% |
| Under 18 | 28.5% ✓ More | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 14.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Buckeye's cost of living index is 100.0 vs Kirkland's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Buckeye is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Buckeye leads 12 of 22 categories. Buckeye wins 12 and Kirkland wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Buckeye to Kirkland or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($341,700 vs $937,700 median home), income ($94,188 vs $135,608), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Buckeye, AZ and Kirkland, WA are about 1,104 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.