Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Kent
67.2%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Kent
2.3%
Kent +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 84,389 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 83.6% | 67.2% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 2.3% | Kent + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.9% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Kent
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Kent
13.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $72,867 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $35,662 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.9% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 13.9% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 27.0% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Kent
62.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $657,911 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 62.8% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Kent
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 383 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 3409 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Kent
25.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Kent
9.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Kent
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Kent
10.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 53.2°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 39.1 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Kent
23.0 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 23.0 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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