Kent WA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kent
84,389
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 67.2% | 58.0% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 24.9% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $67,544 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.4% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 19.8% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 42.4% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 35.3% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.4% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.9% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.1% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.5% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Kent, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 48.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 27.3 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Worcester 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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