Kent WA vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Pasadena
125,983
Pasadena +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 125,983 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 36.5 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 67.2% | 45.5% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 25.4% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 39.1% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.6% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.8% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 32.1% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.1% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.6% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Pasadena, TX | 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
Kent +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Pasadena, 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
Kent +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 36.1 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, 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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