Kent WA vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Kent
2.3%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 119,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 40.2 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 67.2% | 44.0% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 24.6% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Kent, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $69,261 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,328 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.4% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 14.8% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Kent, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 50.2% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Kent, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
West Palm Beach
29.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 29.1% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.7% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 16.9% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 13.0% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Kent, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 75.4°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 62.3 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 25.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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