Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Kent
14.1%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 84,389 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 35.8 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 14.1% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 34.1% | 2.3% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 1.9% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Kent
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Kent
13.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $72,867 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $35,662 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.9% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 13.9% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 27.0% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $657,911 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.2% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.7% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 53.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 39.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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