Kirkland
Charming waterfront downtown. Google's Pacific NW campus. Walkable boutiques, galleries, and lakeside dining.
Bellevue
High-rise urban living. Amazon & Meta headquarters. Luxury shopping, upscale dining, metropolitan energy.
Waterfront Charm vs Urban Energy
Two of Washington's most coveted addresses. Kirkland's walkable waterfront downtown against Bellevue's metropolitan high-rise sophistication. Which premium Eastside lifestyle is right for you?
By The Numbers
Tech Industry Presence
Google calls Kirkland home. Amazon and Meta dominate Bellevue. Both cities offer incredible tech career opportunities.
Kirkland Tech Scene
Campus Community-
Google - 8,000+ employees, major Pacific Northwest campus
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Tech Startups - Growing ecosystem in the waterfront district
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Remote Workers - Popular base for distributed tech teams
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Cafe Culture - Waterfront coffee shops perfect for remote work
Vibe: Campus-style tech culture, walkable downtown, work-life balance focus, community-oriented networking.
Bellevue Tech Scene
Corporate Hub-
Amazon - 25,000+ employees, multiple downtown towers
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Meta (Facebook) - 4,000+ employees, Reality Labs HQ
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Google, Salesforce, Oracle - Major satellite offices
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Corporate Culture - Networking events, conferences, career growth
Vibe: High-rise corporate culture, urban energy, diverse tech companies, ambitious career environment.
Cost of Living Comparison
Both cities are premium, but Bellevue's urban amenities come at a higher price. See the real numbers.
Kirkland Median Home
$1.25M
Waterfront premium included
Bellevue Median Home
$1.65M
Downtown urban premium
You Save in Kirkland
$400K
On average home purchase
Head-to-Head Comparison
Visual breakdown of how each city scores across key lifestyle categories.
Walkability
Compact waterfront downtown, everything within walking distance. Boutiques, dining, parks connected.
Urban Amenities
High-rise living, luxury shopping, upscale dining, nightlife. True metropolitan experience.
Waterfront Access
Public beaches, waterfront parks, marina, lakeside dining. Kirkland owns the water.
Entertainment & Dining
More variety, upscale restaurants, bars, shopping. Bellevue is the social hub.
Schools
Both excellent. Bellevue SD #1 in WA. Lake Washington SD also top-tier with strong STEM.
Family-Friendliness
Small-town community feel, waterfront parks, community events, tight-knit neighborhoods.
Best Neighborhoods
Top residential areas in each city for different lifestyles and budgets.
Kirkland Neighborhoods
Downtown Kirkland
Walkable waterfront living, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants. Premium condos and historic homes.
Juanita
Family-friendly with excellent schools, Juanita Beach Park, suburban feel with waterfront access.
Houghton
Upscale residential, near Google campus, quiet streets, excellent schools, close to Bellevue.
Totem Lake
More affordable, revitalizing area with new retail, easy highway access, growing dining scene.
Bellevue Neighborhoods
Downtown Bellevue
High-rise condos, walkable urban core, The Bellevue Collection shopping, tech company headquarters.
Medina / Clyde Hill
Ultra-wealthy enclave, waterfront estates, home to Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos. Exclusive and private.
West Bellevue
Charming neighborhoods, tree-lined streets, excellent schools, close to downtown but suburban feel.
Crossroads
Diverse, affordable (by Bellevue standards), great international dining, Microsoft shuttle access.
Experience Both Cities
The Verdict: Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Kirkland If You...
- Work at Google or prefer campus-style tech culture
- Want walkable waterfront living with boutiques & galleries
- Value small-town community feel with city amenities
- Love lakeside dining, beach access & outdoor lifestyle
- Want premium living with $400K savings vs Bellevue
Choose Bellevue If You...
- Work at Amazon, Meta, or downtown Seattle
- Want high-rise urban living with nightlife & dining
- Prefer luxury shopping at The Bellevue Collection
- Value #1 ranked school district in Washington
- Thrive in ambitious, metropolitan tech culture
Frequently Asked Questions
Kirkland's downtown wins for walkability with a Walk Score of 78 vs Bellevue's 71. Kirkland's compact waterfront downtown offers a seamless pedestrian experience with shops, restaurants, and parks all within walking distance. Bellevue's downtown is larger and more spread out, though individual areas like Main Street are very walkable.
Bellevue is generally more expensive. Bellevue's median home price is $1.65M vs Kirkland's $1.25M. Downtown Bellevue condos and urban living command a premium, while Kirkland offers more variety including waterfront properties and single-family homes. Both cities are among the most expensive in Washington.
Kirkland hosts Google's major Pacific Northwest campus with 8,000+ employees, plus tech startups in the waterfront district. Bellevue has Amazon (25,000+ employees), Meta (4,000+), and numerous tech company offices in its downtown towers. Both cities are major tech employment centers on the Eastside.
Both have excellent schools. Bellevue School District is ranked #1 in Washington with a 95%+ graduation rate. Kirkland is served by Lake Washington School District, also top-tier with strong academics. Both districts feature exceptional STEM programs and consistently high test scores - it's essentially a tie.
Kirkland edges out for families seeking a small-town feel with waterfront parks, community events, and walkable neighborhoods. Bellevue offers more urban amenities and the #1 school district in WA, but at higher costs. Both are family-friendly, but Kirkland has a warmer, more tight-knit community atmosphere.
Kirkland's downtown is a charming waterfront district with boutiques, local restaurants, art galleries, and beach access - small-town vibes with upscale amenities. Bellevue's downtown features high-rise towers, luxury shopping at The Bellevue Collection, upscale chain restaurants, and urban nightlife. Kirkland feels cozy and community-focused; Bellevue feels metropolitan.
Ready to Make Your Move?
Whether you're drawn to Kirkland's waterfront charm or Bellevue's urban sophistication, Next Phase Moving is your trusted partner for premium Eastside relocations.
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