Kent WA vs New Braunfels 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%
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Kent +
New Braunfels
267
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
New Braunfels
39.4
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
New Braunfels
8.2%
White
Kent
67.2%
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Black
Kent
2.3%
Kent +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Kent +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
New Braunfels
15.7%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 267 | Kent + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 39.4 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 8.2% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 84.3% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 2.3% | 0.0% | Kent + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 0.0% | Kent + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
New Braunfels
$74,643
New Braunfels +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
New Braunfels
$21,360
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
New Braunfels
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
New Braunfels
N/A
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
New Braunfels
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
New Braunfels
1.8%
| Metric | Kent, WA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $74,643 | New Braunfels + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $21,360 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 1.8% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
New Braunfels
$352,129
New Braunfels +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Kent, WA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $352,129 | New Braunfels + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 90.8% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
New Braunfels
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
New Braunfels
2339
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Kent, WA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | New Braunfels + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
New Braunfels
34.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
New Braunfels
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
New Braunfels
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
New Braunfels
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
New Braunfels
11.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 34.6% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.0% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.2% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 19.1% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.0% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
New Braunfels
34.0 in
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Kent, WA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 67.4°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 34.0 in | New Braunfels + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
New Braunfels
55.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | New Braunfels, 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
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Kent, WA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 19.6 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Braunfels leads in median household income at $74,643, while new Braunfels offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $352,129. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in New Braunfels. 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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