Kent WA vs Peoria IL — 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%
Peoria, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Kent +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Peoria
12.6%
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Peoria
59.6%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Peoria
4.7%
Peoria +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Kent +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 11,626 | Kent + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 12.6% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 59.6% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 4.7% | Peoria + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.6% | Kent + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Peoria
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Peoria
27.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $33,805 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $68,110 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 27.6% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 36.2% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.5% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.8% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.2% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 15.1% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 34.4 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $83,102, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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