Kent WA vs Richmond CA — 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Richmond
115,396
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 115,396 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.6 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 67.2% | 21.4% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 17.3% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Richmond
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Richmond
32.6%
Richmond +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.0% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 32.6% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Richmond
$608,357
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Richmond
52.5%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $608,357 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 52.5% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Richmond
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Richmond
2388
Richmond +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Richmond
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Richmond
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Richmond
11.9%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 32.9% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.9% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.8% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.9% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Richmond
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 58.5°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 37.7 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $608,357. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Richmond. 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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