Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carrollton, TX
VS
Kirkland, WA
🏆 Carrollton leads 13 of 22 categories
Carrollton
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$95,380
Violent Crime Index
36
Population
132,284 ✓ Larger
Kirkland
Washington
9
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.
Carrollton, TX
Pros
Homes cost $610k less ($327,300 vs $937,700)
Rent averages $695/mo less ($1,555 vs $2,250)
Violent crime is well below the national average (137.1 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (3.7%)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Kirkland
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 47°F
Cons
Median income trails Kirkland by $40,228/yr
Kirkland, WA
Pros
56% less violent crime than Carrollton
Households earn $40,228 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (60.6 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 62.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 94°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $937,700
Higher rents — median is $2,250/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Higher unemployment (4.7% vs 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Carrollton
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 103.3 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Carrollton
Median Home Value
$610k less
$327,300 vs $937,700
Carrollton
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
3.7% vs 4.7% unemployment
Carrollton
Summer Heat
17.8°F warmer
July avg high 94.3°F vs 76.5°F
Kirkland
Median Income
$40,228
$135,608 vs $95,380/yr
Kirkland
Violent Crime
56% lower
60.6 vs 137.1 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Kirkland, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $327,300⚠ High ✓ Lower | $937,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,555⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,250⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,380 | $135,608 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 4.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min ✓ Shorter | 25.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 17.8% | 24.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 47 ✓ Safer | 48 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 36 | 16 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 ✓ Safer | 96 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.1% | 62.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.4% | 96.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD | Lake Washington Institute of Technology |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F ✓ Warmer | 47.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.8" | 37.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 3.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 132,284 ✓ Larger | 92,015 |
| Median Age | 38.6 ✓ Older | 38.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 62.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.9% | 20.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 14.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrollton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Kirkland's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Carrollton is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Carrollton leads 13 of 22 categories. Carrollton wins 13 and Kirkland wins 9. 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 Carrollton to Kirkland or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,300 vs $937,700 median home), income ($95,380 vs $135,608), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carrollton, TX and Kirkland, WA are about 1,663 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.