Kent WA vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Kent
67.2%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Kent
2.3%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 11.0% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 2.3% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 9.2% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $67,631 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $52,606 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.0% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 53.6% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 55.6°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 45.2 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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