Kent WA vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Kent +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Kent
67.2%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Kent
2.3%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 82,506 | Kent + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 48.4 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 12.9% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 2.3% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 14.4% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Lakeland
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $60,465 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,328 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 26.8% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Lakeland
61.1%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 61.1% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 38.9% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.3% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 16.4% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.1% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 72.6°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 54.8 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 25.6 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland 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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