Kent WA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.4 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 9.1% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 61.6% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 8.9% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,581 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 36.5% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.8% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.1% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Kent +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 25.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Kent 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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