Jacksonville FL 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 84,389 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 51.2% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 30.1% | 2.3% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 1.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Kent
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $35,662 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 27.0% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $657,911 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Kent
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 383 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3409 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.7% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 53.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 39.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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