Kent WA vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 8.3% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 41.5% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 20.0% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $46,628 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $30,451 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 26.6% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 37.2% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 434 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 38.0% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.8% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.9% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.3% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 16.6% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. 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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