Kent WA vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Palm Bay
59.2%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 41.3 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 67.2% | 59.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 19.7% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $67,521 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $34,474 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,328 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 22.6% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Palm Bay
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 36.5% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.0% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.6% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.2% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.5% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 29.6 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 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