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Moving. Simplified.
Kent, the vibrant city, a part of the Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue metropolitan area is now a major moving destination for its fabulous living facilities and unlimited fun around. Known for its rich history, diverse community, and robust economy the sixth-largest city in Washington State is beautiful and at the same time a center of business.
It is no surprise that you are also keen to move to Kent, Washington.
However, it is true that you will be keen to know the city in detail before you make the final moving call. Aren’t you interested to know how living in Kent will be? Just like any other person relocating, you too may be curious to know about the cost of living, crime rate, taxes, jobs, and education in the city.
Do not worry as we are here.
Helping you, our Kent moving directory has everything you need to know about the city. Our experts researched in detail about the city and got accurate information about every point that you need to know. So how about taking a look at them?
Let’s begin.
Kent is a booming city with a strong influence on aviation and manufacturing in its economy. The residents here get a mix of urban and suburban feeling and the infrastructure is splendid. In addition, the city is also a melting pot of different cultures and you’ll see people from every race and community living here peacefully. No surprises in guessing that Kent is the best place to call your home in Washington State.
One of the major factors that you need to know about Kent is that the city is costlier than most Washington cities. The cost of living here is about 27.8% higher than the national average. Housing, specifically, is about 54.7% more expensive than the national average. While groceries are 9.5% more expensive than the US average, transportation is 30.0% costlier than the national average. While you move to Kent, you should also be ready to shell out higher.
The city has 136,588 residents and 47,058 households, out of which 50.1% are females and 49.9% are males. As per the latest data, 4,047 persons live in a square mile and the population is growing every year. The median age in Kent is 35.3 and the population is highly diverse. About 10.6% of the residents live under the poverty line.
While Kent’s commute isn’t the shortest, its robust transport system offers multiple options to residents. The average one-way commute time is 25.6 minutes, which is slightly below the U.S. average of 26.4 minutes.
If you are keen to know how the city residents reach the office regularly, here are the latest stats:
Kent has a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The winters are cool with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing during the day. Summers are typically warm and dry, with temperatures rarely exceeding 86°F. Wind speeds are generally moderate, with an average daily wind speed of around 18 mph. It rains heavily in Kent, about 43 inches annually.
We’ve got a few additional facts about the Kent climate:
We know you are keen on the best reasons to pack the bags to Kent. And here are the reasons.
Since you’re considering moving to Kent, WA, the following are the key reasons people are relocating to the city:
Is Kent all about the best things? Certainly not! Just like any other American city, the city too has got its share of minuses. As you’re serious about relocating to Kent, knowing both the pros and cons of moving to Kent will help in decision-making.
If you're considering moving to Kent, WA, choosing the right neighborhood is crucial for you and your family.
We’ve compiled data on the ten best neighborhoods in Kent to help you find the one that suits your lifestyle.
| Neighborhood | Average Home Value | Average Rental |
|---|---|---|
| Meridian Heights West | $969,055 | $5,477 |
| Shadow Lake West | $959,914 | $2,844 |
| Lake Morton - Berrydale | $900,511 | $3,388 |
| Talbot South | $863,366 | $$,211 |
| Garrison Creek Park | $835,976 | $4,038 |
| Lake Morton Berrydale North | $817,081 | $3,397 |
| Dover Park / Seven Oaks East | $808,774 | $4,512 |
| Autumn Glen / Thomas | $789,203 | $2,294 |
| Highland Crossing | $781,682 | $3,594 |
| Misty Meadows | $744,244 | $3,427 |
When you are serious about moving to a new place, the expenses will always be a subject of concern. And this is especially true when your destination is Kent, WA, where the cost of living is significantly higher than the national average.
Kent is about 27.8% more expensive than the average U.S. city. Groceries cost 9.5% more than the national average, transportation is 18% higher, and housing expenses are 54.7% above average.
If you’re living alone, be prepared for an annual expense of around $70,800. For a family of four, the estimated yearly cost is approximately $154,800.
Take a look at the table below to get a detailed breakdown of Kent’s cost of living.
| Living Expense | Kent | Washington | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 119.1 | 109.8 | 100 |
| Grocery | 108.5 | 105.8 | 100 |
| Health | 103.3 | 98.1 | 100 |
| Housing | 123.7 | 118.5 | 100 |
| Median Home Cost | $594,500 | $575,894 | $338,100 |
| Utilities | 97.4 | 111.2 | 100 |
| Transportation | 118.0 | 127.7 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 122.6 | 116.5 | 100 |
The job market is strong in Kent and it is easier to find one in the city if the purpose of moving is a job. While the city’s economy is booming and is expected to further shoot up in the coming years, the job market is also diverse, making things easier.
And we’ve got a few job-related facts in Kent, which may benefit you:
Here is a breakdown table to better understand the Kent job market.
| Employment Information | Kent, Washington | United States |
|---|---|---|
| The income per Cap | $27,102 | $37,638 |
| Household Income | $79,781 | $69,021 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.5% | 6.0% |
| Recent Job Growth | -5.2% | -6.2% |
| Future Job Growth | 37.1% | 33.5% |
In case you are packing to Kent for a job, it would be nicer to know the fast-growing jobs in the city. This will help you analyze whether you are fit enough to pick one among them.
| Rank | Job Title | Growth | Average salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hardware engineer | 139.2% | $105,210 |
| 2 | Software developer | 131.4% | $122,510 |
| 3 | Telemarketer | 129.5% | $27,070 |
| 4 | Cartographer | 122.0% | $73,030 |
| 5 | Optometrist | 119.5% | $91,370 |
| 6 | Interpreter and translator | 116.0% | $37,260 |
| 7 | Operations analyst | 109.1% | $92,310 |
| 8 | Web developer | 106.4% | $87,780 |
| 9 | Marketing manager | 103.1% | $131,330 |
| 10 | Computer operator | 101.8% | $43,220 |
It is good to have a list of the best-paid jobs in Kent as job hunting becomes easier once you are here. And knowing this, we’ve filtered out the highest-paying jobs in Kent.
| Rank | Job Title | Average salary | Entry level salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family practice physician | $221,923 | $129,000 |
| 2 | Periodontist | $210,427 | $116,000 |
| 3 | Associate dentist | $153,126 | $99,000 |
| 4 | Pharmacist | $152,529 | $118,000 |
| 5 | Principles systems engineer | $145,277 | $110,000 |
| 6 | Senior operations manager | $142,947 | $85,000 |
| 7 | Principle software engineer | $142,022 | $101,000 |
| 8 | Dentist | $134,147 | $86,000 |
| 9 | Master lay out specialist | $133,616 | $99,000 |
| 10 | Senior software engineer | $129,575 | $96,000 |
The city is economically thriving and is home to many big companies. However, it is also highly expensive to live in Kent. This means your take-home salary should be higher than most neighboring cities. Fortunately, most companies pay you handsomely and your paychecks will be fatter. The average salary in Kent is $55,908 which means anything above $50,000 is a decent salary.
As you’ve decided to pack the bags to Kent, one of the economically booming cities in Washington State, you would be naturally curious to know the type of businesses flourishing here. Knowing the major industries, it becomes easier to analyze whether moving to Kent is a wise decision.
Working at the best companies would be your dream and the best company would be based on your thinking process. However, generally, the most employee-friendly companies fall into the bracket of ‘best’ and we’ve researched to find 10 firms in Kent that rank high in employee satisfaction.
As you’ve determined to relocate to Kent, you’ll be curious to know the housing cost here. Having an idea about the housing cost will help you know whether owning a home is easier here or not. Kent is much more expensive when it comes to home costs. You can expect to pay around $594,500 for a home here against the average US cost of $338,100. While about 49.8% of the city residents stay in rented homes, only 2.6% of homes here are available for rent.
We’ve got a few housing facts that will help you:
Just as the home value, the home rentals in Kent are also higher than the US average. Moving here, your initial days would be in a rented home and it is natural to be curious to know the rent details. Knowing this, we’ve got you the rental facts in Kent.
Tax is a major factor in deciding your take-home salary. As per the paper, your salary might be fat but based on the tax levied, it may be slim. Hence, it is crucial to know the tax the authorities collect in Kent before you pack the bags. Here are a few tax-related facts existing in Kent.
As you are in the last phase of moving to Kent, it is natural to be curious about the entertainment options there. The city has no shortage of fun and entertainment and relocating here, you will have a lot to explore.
To make things easier for you, we’ve filtered down 10 top things to do in Kent.
This peaceful and well-maintained resting place honors the country's veterans. A visit here brings a moment of reflection and gratitude.
Get your mind twisted and your senses challenged at this engaging and fun museum filled with optical illusions and interactive exhibits.
A quiet, scenic neighborhood park perfect for walks, picnics, and enjoying nature’s calmness.
This aquatic destination is ideal for sea-life lovers and families wanting to learn about marine environments.
This outdoor museum features an exquisite collection of bonsai trees from around the world, blending art, history, and nature.
Though technically in nearby Seattle, this stunning Japanese garden is worth the short trip. It offers a serene blend of native Northwest and Japanese design.
A haven for gardeners, this nursery is known for its rare and unusual plants, offering both beauty and inspiration.
This family-friendly park has playgrounds, picnic spots, and a lake for swimming or fishing—ideal for a fun day out.
This unique museum preserves the legacy of powerboat racing with restored boats, archives, and memorabilia.
Experience life on a historic working farm with animals, gardens, and heritage education in a serene, scenic setting.
One of the major minuses of Kent is the high crime rate. The violent crime rate here is 18.1 and the property crime rate is 70.7, which may make you reanalyze whether moving is a good decision. This city is safer than just about 2% of the US cities and your chance of being a violent crime victim is 1 in 180. Only about 40% of the residents feel completely safe living in Kent.
You may be moving to Kent with the family and schools for children may be a big concern. However, things are easier here as there are many good schools and colleges in the city. We’ve researched to prepare a list of the best educational institutions in the city, which may help you once you are here.
Sunrise Elementary School
Public, K-6 | 558 students | Rating: 9/10
Grass Lake Elementary School
Public, K-6 | 393 students | Rating: 9/10
Lake Youngs Elementary School
Public, K-6 | 501 students | Rating: 8/10
Martin Sortun Elementary School
Public, K-6 | 543 students | Rating: 7/10
Soos Creek Elementary School
Public, K-6 | 362 students | Rating: 6/10
Meridian Middle School
Public, 7-8 | 560 students | Rating: 9/10
Evergreen Middle School
Public, 6-8 | 718 students | Rating: 7/10
Mill Creek Middle School
Public, 7-8 | 794 students | Rating: 7/10
Cascade Vista Baptist School
Public, 7-8 | 120 students | Rating: 6/10
Kentridge High School
Public, 9-12 | 2,034 students | Rating: 8/10
Kentlake High School
Public, 9-12 | 1,440 students | Rating: 8/10
Kent-Meridian High School
Public, 9-12 | 2,128 students | Rating: 7/10
Green River Kent Campus
Seattle University
South Seattle College
Highline College
Renton Technical College
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