Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Kent
14.1%
White
Houston
35.5%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Kent
31.8%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 84,389 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.8 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 14.1% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 22.9% | 2.3% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 31.8% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $35,662 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 27.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $657,911 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.2% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 39.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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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