Kent WA vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 13.6% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 53.8% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 12.7% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 51.2% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 398 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Raleigh
10.5%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 30.9% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.5% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Kent, WA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 61.1°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 46.2 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Raleigh, NC | 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
Kent +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 25.1 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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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