East Seattle, WA and Kent, WA are two cities in the Pacific Northwest with different atmospheres, opportunities, and lifestyles. While East Seattle offers urban excitement, diverse culture, and a roaring tech industry, Kent, known as the "City on the Move," provides a more suburban lifestyle with a competitive economic landscape and good transportation links. Here's a comprehensive comparison of both locales on multiple factors, encouraging anyone considering relocation or visiting for tourism.
Crime rates in East Seattle are generally higher than in Kent due to the larger population density. However, both cities have been making strides to improve safety, with the implementation of local police initiatives and neighborhood watch programs. Kent has a community-oriented policing strategy that focuses on crime prevention, while East Seattle boasts a well-funded and responsive police department. Regardless of these measures, it's essential to research specific neighborhoods when considering safety.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in East Seattle is generally higher than in Kent, reflecting its status as a tech hub and its proximity to core Seattle's amenities. This includes higher rates for housing, food, and entertainment. Alternatively, Kent, while still offering a range of amenities, has a lower cost of living that may better suit families or those on stricter budgets.
Income Tax
Neither East Seattle nor Kent imposes a state or city income tax, which is a significant plus point for residents. Washington State is one of the few states in the US without an income tax, making it an attractive destination for individuals and businesses.
Property Tax
Property tax rates in East Seattle are slightly higher than in Kent due to the city's higher property values. However, Kent's property taxes can be high as well, especially in high-demand neighborhoods. These rates are often reassessed annually and can fluctuate based on the local budget and various voter-approved levies and bonds.
Sales Tax
Both East Seattle and Kent have the same state sales tax rate since they're located in Washington State. As of 2022, the state sales tax is 6.5%, but the total can climb to approximately 10% when local sales taxes are included. Keep in mind that certain items may be exempt or taxed at different rates.
Income
Type
East Seattle
Kent
Estimated median household income
$135,835
$81,373
Estimated per capita income
$77,151
$36,357
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
128.6
113.2
If you make $50,000 in Kent, you will have to make $56,802 in East Seattle to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
East Seattle, situated on Lake Washington, offers picturesque lakeside living and a multitude of water-based recreational activities. Kent, nestled in the green river valley, provides a more rolling landscape and access to nature with several well-maintained parks.
Geographical information
Type
East Seattle
Kent
Land area
217.1 sq. miles
28 sq. miles
Population density
2,361.6 people per sq. mile
4,809.7 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
East Seattle, WA Kent, WA
Education
Both East Seattle and Kent offer excellent educational opportunities, with public, private and charter schools. East Seattle, being part of the larger Seattle metropolitan area, offers a more diverse selection of schools and higher education institutions, including reputed universities such as the University of Washington. Meanwhile, Kent has a robust public school district and is home to several private institutions, offering quality education at all levels.
East Seattle's economy is largely driven by the booming tech industry, with many residents working in IT and related fields. Large tech giants such as Amazon and Microsoft have their headquarters here. Kent's economy is more diverse, with sectors like manufacturing, retail, and healthcare playing significant roles. Both cities offer good employment opportunities, but East Seattle typically provides higher average salaries.
Biggest Employers
The biggest employers in East Seattle are Amazon, Microsoft, and the University of Washington. Their presence offers numerous high-paying job opportunities. Kent's biggest employers include Amazon, Boeing, the Kent School District and REI. They offer a diverse range of jobs spanning education, aerospace, and retail.
Weather
East Seattle and Kent share a similar Pacific Northwest climate, typified by mild, damp winters and warm, dry summers. However, East Seattle, being closer to the coast, may be slightly cooler and more humid compared to Kent. The annual rainfall is typically higher in East Seattle, which might appeal to those who love a rainier environment.
Weather and climate
Type
East Seattle
Kent
Temperature - Average
52.5°F
52.8°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
78.5%
78.5%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
38%
38%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
86%
86%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
48%
Precipitation - Yearly average
36.8 in
39.3 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
21.4 in
21.4 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
11.7%
9.7%
Sunshine amount - Average
49.4%
49.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
44%
44%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
64%
64%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
20%
20%
Wind speed - Average
8.6 mph
8.6 mph
Average climate in East Seattle, Washington
Average climate in Kent, Washington
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
East Seattle
Kent
East Seattle
Kent
East Seattle
Kent
East Seattle
Kent
East Seattle
Kent
East Seattle
Kent
East Seattle
Kent
East Seattle
Kent
2018
85
90
0.21
0.21
10.6
10.6
21.0
21.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.1
7.3
0.7
0.7
2017
100
112
0.23
0.23
11.1
11.1
21.2
21.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.6
7.7
0.3
0.3
2016
67
78
0.22
0.22
11.9
11.9
20.2
20.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.8
5.6
0.6
0.6
2015
88
98
0.23
0.23
10.8
10.8
19.4
19.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.6
6.7
0.8
0.8
2014
75
82
0.24
0.24
11.5
11.5
19.5
20.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.7
6.1
N/A
N/A
2013
81
89
0.24
0.24
N/A
N/A
17.2
17.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.9
7.2
0.8
0.8
2012
83
94
0.23
0.23
N/A
N/A
19.3
19.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.2
6.6
1.0
1.0
2011
73
92
0.24
0.24
N/A
N/A
18.6
19.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.2
7.7
1.1
1.1
2010
73
70
0.24
0.24
N/A
N/A
18.0
18.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.4
6.8
1.1
1.1
2009
94
95
0.27
0.27
N/A
N/A
18.3
18.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.0
9.6
1.4
1.4
2008
80
93
0.30
0.30
N/A
N/A
17.8
18.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.4
9.7
1.3
1.3
2007
85
100
0.30
0.30
N/A
N/A
17.7
18.2
N/A
N/A
19.0
14.7
6.4
9.6
1.5
1.5
2006
102
113
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
18.4
19.8
N/A
N/A
21.1
16.1
7.2
9.8
N/A
N/A
2005
104
99
0.80
0.78
18.3
18.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
22.9
17.5
7.6
10.2
3.5
3.5
2004
110
118
0.81
0.78
17.9
17.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.3
10.5
3.0
3.0
2003
100
111
0.85
0.75
18.5
17.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.3
10.1
2.4
2.4
2002
90
97
1.07
0.82
19.3
19.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.7
10.6
2.7
2.7
2001
91
101
1.08
0.86
20.5
20.8
N/A
N/A
0.004
0.004
N/A
N/A
11.1
11.1
3.7
3.7
2000
99
101
1.21
1.03
20.9
21.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.1
12.2
3.2
3.2
Natural disasters
Type
East Seattle
Kent
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
5.5%
5.5%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
1,403%
1,454%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
30%
30%
Transportation
East Seattle has an extensive public transit system and bike-friendly roads, making commuting easier for residents without a car. Kent also offers good transportation options, including bus and light rail services, and close proximity to airports. Both cities have access to highways, though traffic congestion may be more common in East Seattle.
Transport
Type
East Seattle
Kent
Amtrak stations nearby
3
2
FAA registered aircraft
0
198
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
0
2
Means of transportation to work
Type
East Seattle
Kent
Bicycle
0.3%
0.4%
Bus
5%
2.3%
Carpooled
11%
11.2%
Car alone
76.3%
82.3%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.1%
Subway
0%
0.5%
Walked
1.7%
1.5%
Average travel time to work
Type
East Seattle
Kent
Average
25 min
32.1 min
Real Estate
Reflecting its higher cost of living, real estate prices are generally higher in East Seattle than Kent. Homebuyers and renters may find more options for townhomes and condominiums in East Seattle's urban landscape, while Kent offers more single-family homes. Both cities offer a range of real estate options to suit different tastes and budgets.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods in East Seattle tend to be denser, more urban, and often are closer to various amenities, including parks, shops, and quality restaurants. On the other hand, Kent offers a mixture of suburban and rural neighborhoods, with access to outdoor areas and generally larger yards.
Houses and residents
Type
East Seattle
Kent
Houses
199,933
47,926
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.7
Houses occupied
191,630 (95.8%)
46,036 (96.1%)
Houses occupied by owners
128,209 (66.9%)
26,144 (56.8%)
Houses occupied by renters
63,421 (33.1%)
19,892 (43.2%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$2,281
$1,355
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$820,468
$337,039
Estimated median house or condo value
$877,325
$523,000
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.5
4.2
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
7.8
6.3
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
920.9
1,709.6
Household income disparities
34.9%
40.3%
Housing units without a mortgage
22,582 (20.8%)
304 (1.6%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
352 (0.3%)
1,292 (6.8%)
Housing units with a mortgage
85,751 (79.2%)
18,682 (98.4%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
11,674 (10.8%)
0 (0%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
9,796 (9%)
1,397 (7.4%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.8%
1%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
16,907
5,752
State government workers
10,270
2,458
Unpaid family workers
584
83
Industries and Occupations
Featuring a booming tech industry, East Seattle offers occupations primarily in IT, with other sectors like healthcare and education also prominent. Kent's industrial profile is more varied, featuring manufacturing, retail, and aerospace industries alongside tech. Grainger, REI, and Amazon have significant operations in Kent, offering diverse job opportunities.
Health Care
East Seattle benefits from the extensive healthcare network of the greater Seattle area, boasting renowned medical establishments like the University of Washington Medical Center. Kent's healthcare system is similarly robust, with the MultiCare Kent Clinic offering a range of healthcare services.
Infrastructure
East Seattle’s infrastructure is robust with efficient public services, state-of-the-art technological amenities, and well-maintained parks and public spaces. Kent also features high-quality infrastructure, with ongoing investments in road improvements, sewer updates, and park enhancements. Both cities benefit from the broader state investments into infrastructure.
Infrastructure
Type
East Seattle
Kent
TV stations
16
17
Schools
School facilities
Type
East Seattle
Kent
Private elementary/middle schools
1
1
Private high schools
1
2
Public elementary/middle schools
2
27
Public high schools
2
8
Culture and Food
East Seattle offers a diverse food scene, with a range of international cuisines reflecting its multicultural populace. The area also boasts a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous festivals, galleries, and music venues. Kent has a less cosmopolitan but nonetheless strong food and culture base, with a mix of local and ethnic restaurants and a thriving arts scene.
Sports Teams
East Seattle residents have access to the high-profile sports teams of the greater Seattle area, including the Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Mariners, and Seattle Sounders. Kent does not have any major league teams but is home to the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League, offering a local alternative for sports enthusiasts.
East Seattle, WA
Kent, WA
East Seattle, WA and 
Kent, WA : 16.4 miles
