Kent WA vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.3 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 12.2% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 59.4% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 13.1% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Tacoma
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.3% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 56.5% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Tacoma
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Tacoma
3409
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tacoma, 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 +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 37.3% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.9% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.7% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.8% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.9% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 53.5°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 39.2 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tacoma, 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
Kent +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 31.1 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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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