Kent WA vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Kent
67.2%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Kent
2.3%
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.2 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 11.2% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 2.3% | 4.4% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.5% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 26.6% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 450 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Mesa
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Mesa
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Mesa
11.4%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 30.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.1% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.4% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 71.8°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 26.7 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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