Kent WA vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 67.2% | 39.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $33,716 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.0% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 25.7% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Riverside
$648,603
Riverside +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $648,603 | Riverside + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 56.3% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Riverside
2388
Riverside +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Riverside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Riverside
11.5%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 36.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.2% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.5% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.5% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 66.8°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Riverside, 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 +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 34.1 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while riverside offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $648,603. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. 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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