Atlanta GA vs Kent WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 84,389 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.8 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 39.9% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 46.9% | 2.3% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.9% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $72,867 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $35,662 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 27.0% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $657,911 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3409 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Kent
17.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 39.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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