Kent WA vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Kent
67.2%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Kent
2.3%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 10.9% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 2.3% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 15.6% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Omaha
$72,708
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Omaha
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $72,708 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $66,354 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Omaha
57.7%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 57.7% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Omaha
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 37.5% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.2% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.0% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 20.0% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.2% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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