Kent WA vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 36.2 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 5.5% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 27.7% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 4.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $55,687 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $32,068 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $51,690 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.5% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 20.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Montgomery
54.3%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 54.3% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 400 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Montgomery
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 46.4% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 16.7% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.6% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.0% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 15.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Kent, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 64.5°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 52.8 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. 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%.
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