Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Kent
14.1%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 84,389 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.8 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 14.1% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 28.4% | 2.3% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 1.9% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $72,867 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $35,662 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 27.0% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $657,911 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Kent
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 383 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3409 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.2% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 53.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 39.1 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. 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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