Kent WA vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Kent
67.2%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Kent
2.3%
Kent +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 49.2 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 11.2% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 2.3% | 2.0% | Kent + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 9.4% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Kent +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $858,307 | Kent + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 450 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Scottsdale
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 26.2% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.4% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 72.5°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 23.2 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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