Kent WA vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Spokane Valley
105,460
Spokane Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Kent
67.2%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Kent
2.3%
Kent +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Kent +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 105,460 | Spokane Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.6 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 5.1% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 2.3% | 1.4% | Kent + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.7% | Kent + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 7.5% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $70,722 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $35,235 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 24.8% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Spokane Valley
57.5%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $414,734 | Spokane Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 57.5% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Spokane Valley
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Spokane Valley
3409
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Spokane Valley, 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%
Kent +
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Spokane Valley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Spokane Valley
12.4%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 35.1% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.5% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.1% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.4% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Spokane Valley, 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
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while spokane Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,734. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Spokane Valley 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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