Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Kent
14.1%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Kent
67.2%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Kent
31.8%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 84,389 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.8 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 67.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 31.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Kent
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Kent
13.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $72,867 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,662 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 27.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Kent
62.8%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $657,911 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 62.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Kent
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 383 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 3409 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 17.2% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 53.2°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 39.1 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Kent
23.0 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. 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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