Kent WA vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 67.2% | 50.8% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 4.7% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $34,656 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.3% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 20.3% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Modesto
58.4%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $447,353 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 58.4% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Modesto
2388
Modesto +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Modesto + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 36.2% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.1% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.0% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.5% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 13.7% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 63.7°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 30.5 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Kent, WA vs New York, NYKent, WA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Kent, WAHouston, TX vs Kent, WAKent, WA vs Phoenix, AZKent, WA vs Philadelphia, PA