Kent WA vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Springfield
113,714
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Kent
67.2%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Kent
2.3%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 113,714 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 40.7 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 4.5% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 2.3% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 3.4% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Springfield
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $65,537 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $68,110 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.7% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 16.5% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Springfield
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 41.1% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.9% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.3% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.7% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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