Kent WA vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Kent
67.2%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Kent
2.3%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Kent +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 3.8% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 2.3% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.7% | Kent + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 5.6% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $45,984 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $30,864 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $58,527 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 19.4% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 42.9% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Springfield
2418
Springfield +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 501 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2418 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Springfield
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 37.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.1% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.0% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 17.1% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Kent, WA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 56.3°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 45.6 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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