Kent WA vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Kent
67.2%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Kent
2.3%
Vancouver
3.1%
Vancouver +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.5 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 13.6% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 2.3% | 3.1% | Vancouver + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Vancouver
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.6% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Vancouver
$510,577
Vancouver +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $510,577 | Vancouver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 49.9% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Vancouver
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Vancouver
3409
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Vancouver, 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 +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Vancouver
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Vancouver
11.7%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 36.2% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.9% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.1% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.3% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.7% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Kent, WA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 41.6 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Vancouver, 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 +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 25.1 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while vancouver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,577. On public safety, Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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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