Kent WA vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Kent +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 67.2% | 31.9% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 2.1% | Kent + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 16.1% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Kent +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $720,443 | Kent + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 41.2% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 26.5% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.4% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.8% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 59.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 25.2 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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