Kent WA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Waco
9.8%
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 9.8% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 54.0% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 29.9% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $51,468 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $28,819 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 24.0% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 48.9% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 36.8% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.0% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.4% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 20.4% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.2% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 15.1% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 66.6°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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