Kent vs Nampa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Kent
Nampa
The Verdict
Living in Nampa costs 30.5% less than Kent. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kent, you would need $57,482 in Nampa.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Kent has the same purchasing power as $57,482 in Nampa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Nampa equals $97,857 in Kent.
Living in Kent vs Nampa
Housing Costs
Kent's housing index of 195 is higher Nampa's 104, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $371,000. The $224,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,556 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Kent compared to $1,500/mo in Nampa, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 109 in Kent and 105 in Nampa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Kent vs $499/month in Nampa. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Kent and 83 in Nampa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Kent vs $332 in Nampa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 122 in Kent and 102 in Nampa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $98,300 in Kent and $74,300 in Nampa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,752 and $70,762 respectively. Kent residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,294/month to housing in Kent vs $1,734/month in Nampa. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo fits within this budget. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 91 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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