Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Kent
14.1%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Kent
31.8%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 84,389 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.8 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 14.1% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 20.4% | 2.3% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 1.9% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 31.8% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $35,662 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 27.0% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $657,911 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 3409 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 39.1 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. 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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