Kent WA vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 98,677 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 38.0 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 7.5% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 57.5% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 8.6% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Roanoke
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $52,671 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $34,792 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,581 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.5% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 19.7% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 51.7% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 41.9% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.9% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.4% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.0% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 16.7% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Kent, WA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 56.0°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 44.5 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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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