Kent WA vs Plano 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 39.3 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 67.2% | 53.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 16.2% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Plano
$507,575
Plano +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $507,575 | Plano + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 56.6% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Plano
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Plano
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 31.2% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.9% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.4% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Plano, 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 +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Plano, 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 +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 27.6 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while plano offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,575. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, 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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