Kent, WA, known as 'The Heart of the Green River Valley,' offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban amenities. Located in King County, Kent is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Seattle (20 miles) and Tacoma (17 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Kent's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Kent is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Kent Station, the historic ShoWare Center, and the scenic Lake Fenwick Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Green River Natural Resources Area to the bustling Great Wall Shopping Mall, known for its shopping and dining. Kent's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Pacific Northwest cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Kent Cornucopia Days and the Fourth of July Splash highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Kent's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Green River College contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Kent is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Kent Arts Commission and the Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Kent provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Kent’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) and the Tacoma Rainiers (MiLB), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Kent include aerospace, manufacturing, and healthcare, with significant employers such as Boeing and REI driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and light rail, making it easy to navigate the region.
Amenities
Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.
Commute
High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.
Employment
This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.
Cost Of Living
Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.
Crime
High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.
Located in the state of Washington, Kent is a moderately-sized city with a population of 130,038 people. In Kent, there are 3,844 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. Something to be aware of when living in Kent are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 32 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Kent, Washington. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. To help you find the best places to live in and around Kent, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, health & safety, employment, housing and more.
Using data and statistics Kent has received a livability score of 78 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 93rd percentile when compared to all other cities. Compared to the US average, Kent ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! The cherry on top is that Kent also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Kent ranks well for employment (A) and housing (A+) Kent does not do well for the following: crime (F) and cost of living (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Kent, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Kent undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Kent can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Kent is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Kent come in at $378,800, which is 40.7% higher than the Washington average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Kent, the home price to income ratio is 5.1, which is 18.6% higher than the Washington average.
| Statistic | Kent | Washington | National |
| Average one way commute | 32min | 27min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 69.6% | 72.3% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 14.6% | 10.2% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 7.6% | 6.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 0.9% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.1% | 3.6% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.0% | 5.6% | 4.6% |
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