Austin TX 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Kent
14.1%
White
Austin
59.9%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Kent
31.8%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 84,389 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.8 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 14.1% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 7.5% | 2.3% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 1.9% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 31.8% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Kent
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Kent
13.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $72,867 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $35,662 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.9% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 13.9% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 27.0% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $657,911 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Austin, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Kent
9.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Kent
10.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 9.3% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.2% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.3% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 53.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 39.1 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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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