| Index | Kent | Washington | National |
| Cost of living | 134 | 119 | 100 |
| Groceries | 107 | 107 | 100 |
| Health care | 111 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 189 | 138 | 100 |
| Transportation | 109 | 112 | 100 |
| Utilities | 114 | 110 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 114 | 112 | 100 |
| Household Items | 110 | 107 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 115 | 117 | 100 |
The cost of living in Kent affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Kent is 134, which is 34% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
The cost of living in Kent is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Kent falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
When it comes to the cost of living in Kent, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 89.3% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 14 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Kent and this is how they responded. 21% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 79% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Kent an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Kent is 104.6% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 53.7% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Kent has a median household income of $111,000, which is 36.5% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Kent, the transportation index stands at 9.1% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Kent, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6.5%, and income tax rates start at 0%.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Kent, the healthcare costs are 10.8% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Kent shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $140,510 | $11,709 | $3,278 | $4,216 |
| Renters | $76,860 | $6,405 | $1,793 | $2,306 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Washington | 6.5% | 10.4% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Washington | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Fairwood CDP (Spokane County), WA | 8,331 | 113 | 13.4% |
| North Puyallup, WA | 2,029 | 111 | 11.1% |
| Midland, WA | 9,862 | 116 | 15.7% |
| Algona, WA | 3,277 | 124 | 23.8% |
| Tacoma, WA | 223,137 | 125 | 24.9% |
| Kent, WA | 134,349 | 134 | 34.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| New Haven, CT | 134,818 | 113 | 12.9% |
| Round Rock, TX | 133,597 | 111 | 10.9% |
| Stamford, CT | 133,529 | 157 | 57.3% |
| Sterling Heights, MI | 135,304 | 101 | 1.2% |
| Concord, CA | 133,378 | 166 | 66.5% |
| Kent, WA | 134,349 | 134 | 34.3% |
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