Kent WA vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 67.2% | 51.8% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 26.2% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $71,302 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,328 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 15.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 50.2% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 31.9% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.5% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.4% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.9% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.6% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 73.4°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 46.3 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 26.8 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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