Cost to Own
United States › Washington › King County › Kirkland Population 91,614 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-15
Before you budget for Kirkland FEMA rates natural hazard risk in King County Very High, with earthquake its highest-ranked hazard against other US counties. It shapes what insurers charge here. See what threatens homes in this county

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Kirkland, Washington

A $1,023,000 home here costs

$7,489

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.40% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $321,000 a year.

P&I 76%Tax 8%Insurance 2%Utilities 3%Upkeep 11%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $5,666. The real number is $1,822 higher every month, 32% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare King County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Kirkland median: $1,022,500
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
WA average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $818,400 borrowed $5,666
Property tax0.715% effective rate for Kirkland itself $610
Homeowners insuranceWashington averages $1,001/yr (NAIC), or 0.178% of home value $152
Electricity14.71ยข/kWh, Washington residential average, EIA $140
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $853
Total monthly $7,489

Kirkland against King County and Washington

MeasureKirklandKing County
Median home value$1,022,500$811,200
Median property tax$7,315$6,785
Effective tax rate0.715%0.836%
Median gross rent$2,342$2,035
Population91,6142,262,713

The weather behind that power bill

Kirkland sits in King County, which averages a high of 76.7°F in its hottest month and a low of 35.3°F in its coldest, with 63.28" of precipitation a year and 42% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 151 cooling and 4,991 heating degree days, which is what sets the $140 electricity line above.

See the full climate breakdown for King County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.

Other cities in King County

Full King County cost breakdown · Every county in Washington

Talk to someone who works this market

These are Kirkland averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works Kirkland every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

I'm looking to buy in Kirkland I already own here and may sell

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Kirkland?

A $1,023,000 home in Kirkland, Washington costs approximately $7,489 per month with 20% down at 7.4%. That is $5,666 principal and interest, $610 property tax, $152 homeowners insurance, $208 utilities and $853 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Kirkland?

Kirkland has an effective property tax rate of 0.715%, based on a median home value of $1,022,500 and median real estate taxes of $7,315. That is lower than the King County average of 0.836%.

What is the average home price in Kirkland?

The median owner-occupied home value in Kirkland, Washington is $1,022,500, against $811,200 across King County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Kirkland?

Median gross rent in Kirkland is $2,342 a month, against $7,489 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

What salary do you need to buy a home in Kirkland?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Kirkland, Washington at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $321,000 a year. That covers the full $7,489 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Kirkland, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for Washington.
  • Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
  • Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
  • Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.

Full methodology