Kent WA vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 60.1% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 23.1% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.7% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 16.2% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 41.6% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 450 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Tempe
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 27.2% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.7% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.3% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 71.3°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 23.2 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tempe 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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