F
36%
Overall NAT. AVG.
13%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
91%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Kent Washington National
Cost of living136118100
Goods & Services113111100
Groceries116110100
Health care115120100
Housing191135100
Transportation125123100
Utilities9792100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Kent, WA

Knowing the cost of living in Kent allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Kent stands at 136, marking it 36% higher than the national average.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Kent may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Kent falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Kent cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 90.8% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

Everyday goods and services make up 33% of the cost of living index and include things like clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment which are a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Unfortunately, Kent goods and services are 13% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

The substantial and relentless rise in grocery prices definitely warrants some attention. Over the past two years, grocery expenses have escalated by more than 10%. Having said that, the situation in Kent is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 16% higher than the national average.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Kent?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 14 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Kent. The results indicated that 21% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 79% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Kent Affordable?

Wondering if Kent is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Kent, for example, the median home price is 105.1% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 57.5% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Kent boasting a median household income of $73,891, which is 33.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Kent?

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Kent, the housing index stands at 90.8% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Kent, the groceries index is 16% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Kent displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Kent is 16% higher than the Washington average
  • The cost of living in Kent is 36% higher than the national average
  • Kent housing is 91% higher than the national average
  • Washington general sales tax is 27% higher than the national average
  • Washington state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Kent

See all the best places to live around Kent

Compare Kent, WA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$95,021$7,918$2,217$2,851
      Renters$51,617$4,301$1,204$1,549
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Kent is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Kent has a median income of about $95,021 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,217 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $51,617. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,204 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Washington Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Washington 6.5% 10.4%

      Washington Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Washington 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Kent National avg. Difference
      Haircut $32.12$24.2632.4%
      Beauty Salon $43.48$45.564.6%
      Toothpaste $3.46$3.706.6%
      Shampoo $1.24$1.283.4%
      Movie $11.87$12.132.2%
      Bowling $17.56$18.002.5%

      Groceries

      Item Kent National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.66$5.843.0%
      Fried Chicken $2.78$1.5776.8%
      Milk $4.85$4.673.7%
      Potatoes $4.43$4.9310.3%
      Pizza $14.86$12.0922.9%
      Beer $11.77$10.4113.1%

      Health Care

      Item Kent National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $242.14$125.6892.7%
      Doctor $139.77$135.782.9%
      Dentist $164.30$113.2945.0%
      Ibuprofen $11.87$10.6511.4%
      Lipitor $448.83$468.604.2%

      Housing

      Item Kent National avg. Difference
      Home Price $378,800.00$184,700.00105.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,843.91$2,346.6921.2%
      Apartment Rent $1,495.00$949.0057.5%

      Transportation

      Item Kent National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.39$3.4626.9%
      Tire Balancing $77.69$59.9229.7%

      Utilities

      Item Kent National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $175.38$193.999.6%
      Phone $207.11$192.257.7%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Fairwood CDP (Spokane County), WA8,05511413.7%
      North Puyallup, WA1,97011515.1%
      Midland, WA9,51811817.9%
      Algona, WA3,20712525.0%
      Tacoma, WA215,76612827.6%
      Kent, WA130,03813636.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Stamford, CT130,05715858.1%
      New Haven, CT130,38111211.5%
      Concord, CA129,22716767.3%
      Round Rock, TX128,8121088.1%
      Elizabeth, NJ128,48411919.0%
      Kent, WA130,03813636.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.