Kent WA vs St. Charles 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Kent +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Kent
67.2%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Kent
2.3%
St. Charles
6.7%
St. Charles +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Kent +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 71,542 | Kent + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.9 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 4.2% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 2.3% | 6.7% | St. Charles + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.4% | Kent + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 7.7% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Kent, WA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $55,578 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $31,499 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $58,527 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 18.7% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 22.7% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
St. Charles
61.4%
| Metric | Kent, WA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 61.4% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
St. Charles
2418
St. Charles +
| Metric | Kent, WA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 501 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2418 | St. Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
St. Charles
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
St. Charles
12.5%
| Metric | Kent, WA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 35.9% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.4% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.4% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.5% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | St. Charles, MO | 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
Kent +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | St. Charles, 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
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Kent, WA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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