Kent WA vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Wichita Falls
102,558
Wichita Falls +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Kent
67.2%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Kent
2.3%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 102,558 | Wichita Falls + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 7.2% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 2.3% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 22.4% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $58,568 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $31,987 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 17.4% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 25.0% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 57.0% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | Wichita Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 35.4% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.6% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.8% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 16.9% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.8% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.9% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 63.4°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, 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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