Kent WA vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Kent
67.2%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Kent
2.3%
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 115,415 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.9 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 67.2% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 2.3% | 5.3% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 13.5% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Manchester
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $75,331 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $441,257 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 49.3% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Manchester
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 35.0% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.4% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.4% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.4% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.9% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Kent, WA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 44.6 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 25.7 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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