Kent WA vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Kent
67.2%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Kent
2.3%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 41.6 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 6.8% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 2.3% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 19.2% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 450 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 29.4% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.2% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.4% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 32.8 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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