Kent WA vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Santa Clarita +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 38.1 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 67.2% | 53.1% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 4.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.3% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Kent +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $802,780 | Kent + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Santa Clarita
2388
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Santa Clarita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.8% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.9% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Santa Clarita, 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 +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 37.4 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Santa Clarita. 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, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
Compare More Cities
Kent, WA vs New York, NYKent, WA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Kent, WAHouston, TX vs Kent, WAKent, WA vs Phoenix, AZKent, WA vs Philadelphia, PA