Cost of Living: Palmdale, CA vs Kent, WA (2026)

Palmdale

California
130
VS

Kent

Washington
145

Palmdale is 10% cheaper than Kent.

$1,736/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$1,833/mo ↑ 6%
$81,151/yr ↓ 10%
Median Income
$90,416/yr ↑ 11%
$435,300 ↓ 19%
Home Value
$537,500 ↑ 23%
$1,831/mo ↓ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,915/mo ↑ 5%
165,487
Population
135,015

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Palmdale, CA and Kent, WA, the overall cost of living indices are 130 and 145 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $97/month cheaper in Palmdale, saving renters about $1,164/year.

Median household income is $9,265/year higher in Kent. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Palmdale is $435,300 compared to $537,500 in Kent.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Kent residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Palmdale vs Kent — common questions

Is Palmdale or Kent cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Palmdale is cheaper to live in with an index of 130 compared to 145 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Palmdale and Kent?
Median rent in Palmdale is $1,736/month and in Kent it's $1,833/month — a difference of $97/month.
Which city has higher income, Palmdale or Kent?
Median household income is $81,151 in Palmdale and $90,416 in Kent. Median household income is $9,265/year higher in Kent.
How do taxes compare between California and Washington?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Palmdale or Kent?
It depends on your priorities. Palmdale has a cost index of 130 with median rent of $1,736/mo, while Kent has a cost index of 145 with rent of $1,833/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Palmdale details → View Kent details →

More Comparisons

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