Kent WA vs Wichita KS — 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, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Wichita
66.6%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 10.0% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 66.6% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 18.4% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $63,072 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $61,860 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.7% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 15.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 58.4% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 449 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 39.5% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.6% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.7% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.9% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 16.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 57.0°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Wichita, KS | 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
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. 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, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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