Kent WA vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Paterson
N/A
White
Kent
67.2%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Kent
2.3%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 67.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 2.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 37.5% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 16.1% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.6% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 28.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 16.4% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Paterson, NJ | 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 +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Paterson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $527,542. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. 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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