Kent WA vs Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Kent
67.2%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Kent
2.3%
Spokane
2.7%
Spokane +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.2 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 6.1% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.3% | 2.7% | Spokane + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 7.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Spokane
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $65,745 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.0% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 14.6% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 58.3% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Spokane
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Spokane
3409
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Spokane, 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
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Spokane
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 35.3% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.6% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.5% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.7% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Spokane, 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
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Spokane 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 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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