Kent WA vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Kent +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 67.2% | 21.8% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 1.4% | Kent + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $28,813 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 14.2% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 15.5% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Kent +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $751,711 | Kent + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 47.0% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 32.8% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.4% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 22.4% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.8% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.9% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 57.3°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Salinas, 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 +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 28.8 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while kent offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $657,911. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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