Bellevue WA 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)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
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
Bellevue
151,199
Bellevue +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Kent
14.1%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Kent
2.3%
Kent +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 84,389 | Bellevue + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 35.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 14.1% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.2% | 2.3% | Kent + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 1.9% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Kent
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Kent
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Kent
13.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $72,867 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $35,662 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 4.9% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 13.9% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 27.0% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Kent
$657,911
Kent +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $657,911 | Kent + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Kent
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Kent
3409
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 383 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3409 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Kent
25.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Kent
9.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Kent
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Kent
10.3%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 25.7% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 9.3% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 17.2% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 10.6% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.7% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 10.3% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while kent offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $657,911. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellevue. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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