Kent WA vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Sacramento
29.5%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 67.2% | 36.8% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 12.4% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 29.5% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Sacramento
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.2% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 14.4% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $480,548 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 51.5% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Sacramento
2388
Sacramento +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Sacramento + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Sacramento
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Sacramento
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Sacramento
11.9%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 30.0% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.2% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.9% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.9% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 61.0°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Sacramento, 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 +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 27.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, while sacramento offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $480,548. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. 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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