Kent WA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 67.2% | 61.8% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 8.2% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Seattle
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Kent +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $871,599 | Kent + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 44.3% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Seattle
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Seattle
3409
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 383 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3409 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 19.0% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 28.8 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while kent offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $657,911. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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