Irving vs Kent
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Irving
Kent
The Verdict
Irving is 27.0% less expensive than Kent overall. A household earning $75,000 in Irving would need approximately $102,750 in Kent to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $102,750 in Kent.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kent equals $54,745 in Irving.
Living in Irving vs Kent
Housing Costs
Irving's housing index of 94 is lower Kent's 195, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $595,000. The $277,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,000 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,750/mo in Kent, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 109 in Kent. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving vs $518/month in Kent. Irving offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 111 in Irving and 92 in Kent. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving vs $368 in Kent. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Irving and 122 in Kent. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,400 in Irving and $98,300 in Kent. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $71,752 respectively. Irving residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $2,294/month in Kent. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 101 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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