Kent WA vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Portland
12.4%
White
Kent
67.2%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Kent
2.3%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 38.6 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 12.4% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 2.3% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 11.3% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,691 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.5% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $538,687 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 52.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Portland
3001
Portland +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3001 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 28.5% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.3% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.7% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Kent, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 78.3 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 26.5 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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