Kent WA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Washington
13.3%
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 13.3% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 39.1% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 11.6% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.5% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 14.5% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 41.1% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 398 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 24.0% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 32.8 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Washington. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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