Kent WA vs McKinney TX — 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%
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
McKinney
148,848
McKinney +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Kent
2.3%
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
McKinney
3.0%
McKinney +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 148,848 | McKinney + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.4 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 21.0% | McKinney + |
| White | 67.2% | 37.8% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 24.7% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.0% | McKinney + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 44.7% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
McKinney
$71,843
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
McKinney
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Kent, WA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $71,843 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $29,291 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.8% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 18.5% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
McKinney
$487,346
McKinney +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Kent, WA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $487,346 | McKinney + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
McKinney
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
McKinney
2339
McKinney +
| Metric | Kent, WA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | McKinney + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
McKinney
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
McKinney
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
| Metric | Kent, WA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 33.9% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.9% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.3% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 9.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
McKinney
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
McKinney
40.0 in
| Metric | Kent, WA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 64.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 40.0 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
McKinney
55.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 35.6 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while mcKinney offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $487,346. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in McKinney. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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