El Monte 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)
El Monte, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$768,251
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
El Monte
107,066
El Monte +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Monte
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
El Monte
38.1
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
El Monte
49.7%
El Monte +
Kent
14.1%
White
El Monte
13.7%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
El Monte
0.6%
Kent
2.3%
Kent +
Asian
El Monte
29.3%
El Monte +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
El Monte
65.1%
El Monte +
Kent
31.8%
Spanish at Home
El Monte
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 84,389 | El Monte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 14.1% | El Monte + |
| White | 13.7% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 0.6% | 2.3% | Kent + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 1.9% | El Monte + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 31.8% | El Monte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Monte
$64,484
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
El Monte
$24,356
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Monte
$77,230
El Monte +
Kent
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
El Monte
6.4%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
El Monte
17.2%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Monte
14.7%
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $35,662 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | El Monte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 27.0% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Monte
$768,251
Kent
$657,911
Kent +
Homeownership Rate
El Monte
40.1%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $768,251 | $657,911 | Kent + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Monte
503
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Monte
2388
El Monte +
Kent
3409
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | El Monte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Monte
26.3%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Monte
15.9%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Monte
17.0%
El Monte +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Monte
18.7%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Monte
12.9%
El Monte +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Monte
13.7%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.3% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 17.2% | El Monte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.7% | El Monte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Monte
N/A
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Monte
N/A
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | El Monte, CA | 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.)
El Monte
7.9 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Monte
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | El Monte, 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
El Monte
31.6 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, 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 El Monte. 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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