Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Kent, WA
VS
Milwaukee, WI
🏆 Milwaukee leads 12 of 23 categories
Kent
Washington
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,966 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
129⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
135,169
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$49,733
Violent Crime Index
377⚠ High
Population
573,299 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Kent, WA
Pros
Households earn $37,233 more per year on average
66% less violent crime than Milwaukee
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 30°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $478,400
Higher rents — median is $1,742/mo
Violent crime (489.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI
Pros
Homes cost $321k less ($157,800 vs $478,400)
Rent averages $760/mo less ($982 vs $1,742)
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Kent
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (5.9%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Kent by $37,233/yr
Violent crime (1430.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2700.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Kent
Median Income
$37,233
$86,966 vs $49,733/yr
Kent
Violent Crime
66% lower
489.7 vs 1430.9 per 100k
Milwaukee
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 95.5 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Milwaukee
Median Home Value
$321k less
$157,800 vs $478,400
Milwaukee
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
5.9% vs 7.6% unemployment
Milwaukee
Summer Heat
4.5°F warmer
July avg high 82.8°F vs 78.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Kent, WA | Milwaukee, WI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 113.0⚠ High | 95.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $478,400⚠ High | $157,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,742⚠ High | $982 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $86,966 ✓ Higher | $49,733 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.5 min⚠ High | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.1% ✓ Higher | 9.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 277⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer | 377⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 180⚠ High | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) ✓ Better | C (82) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.0:1 | 16.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 27.9% ✓ Higher | 26.1% |
| High School or Higher | 87.1% ✓ Higher | 85.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Kent School District | Milwaukee School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.4°F ✓ Warmer | 29.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 78.3°F | 82.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.7" | 33.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 6.3" ✓ Less | 39.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 135,169 | 573,299 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.7 ✓ Older | 31.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% ✓ Higher | 41.2% |
| Under 18 | 24.6% | 25.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 10.8% | 11.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Kent's cost of living index is 113.0 vs Milwaukee's 95.5 (US average = 100).
Milwaukee is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Milwaukee leads 12 of 23 categories. Kent wins 11 and Milwaukee wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Kent to Milwaukee or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($478,400 vs $157,800 median home), income ($86,966 vs $49,733), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Kent, WA and Milwaukee, WI are about 1,679 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.