Kent WA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 67.2% | 36.1% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 15.2% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $60,698 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,080 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 8.4% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 22.0% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 52.3% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Kent, WA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 57.1°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 48.5 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 34.5 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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