Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Kent
84,389
Kent +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Kent
14.1%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Kent
2.3%
Kent +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Kent
1.9%
Kent +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Kent
31.8%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 84,389 | Kent + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 35.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 14.1% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 0.7% | 2.3% | Kent + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.9% | Kent + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 31.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Kent
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Kent
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Kent
13.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $72,867 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $35,662 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 4.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 13.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 27.0% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Kent
$657,911
Kent +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Kent
62.8%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $657,911 | Kent + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 62.8% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Chula Vista +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Chula Vista + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Kent
15.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Kent
10.3%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.2% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.3% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 53.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 39.1 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, 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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