Kent WA vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
New York
35.9%
Black
Kent
2.3%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
New York
28.4%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 38.0 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 67.2% | 35.9% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 28.4% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Kent, WA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.7% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 17.4% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Kent +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Kent, WA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $816,078 | Kent + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 32.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Kent, WA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 434 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
New York
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
New York
10.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
New York
11.4%
| Metric | Kent, WA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.9% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.9% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.4% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Kent, WA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 55.4°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 46.6 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 44.2 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while kent offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $657,911. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. 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, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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