Kent WA vs Lafayette LA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Lafayette
59.1%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 121,537 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.1 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 6.6% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 59.1% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 7.6% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Lafayette
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $61,454 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $55,297 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.1% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 19.1% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 55.0% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Lafayette
2824
Lafayette +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 643 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2824 | Lafayette + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Lafayette
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 34.5% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.0% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.4% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.8% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 16.1% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 67.6°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 61.0 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. 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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