Moving from Spokane Valley, WA to Kent, WA
It is a 287 mi drive, roughly 5h 26m, between Spokane Valley, WA and Kent, WA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
287 mi Β· 5h 26m by car Β· WA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, WA 18, US 2 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Renton, Tacoma, Bellevue, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Spokane Valley | Kent | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.346 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.196 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.028 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.059 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 10.7% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.7% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $408,888 to $656,314 moving to Kent.
YoY change: Spokane Valley +0.7%, Kent -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Spokane Valley | Kent |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | 40.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Spokane Valley (49.8Β°F) and Kent (53.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US, KENT, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Spokane Valley | Kent |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,460 | 135,015 |
| Median household income | $70,722 | $90,416 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 21.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.89 |
Kent households earn about 10.7% more than Spokane Valley at the median β $70,722 β $90,416 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kent MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Kent compare to Spokane Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Kent MSA vs $48,920 in the Spokane Valley MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 255,160 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Spokane Valley vs Kent?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,416 in Kent vs $70,722 in Spokane Valley β a 27.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Kent compared to Spokane Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $656,314 in Kent vs $408,888 in Spokane Valley β a 60.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Spokane Valley to Kent?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 287 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Kent more expensive than Spokane Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kent is 10.7% higher than Spokane Valley (111.133 vs 100.346, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Kent, WA from Spokane Valley, WA?
The driving distance is 287 mi and the route typically takes 5h 26m via I 90 and WA 18. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Spokane Valley.
City profiles: Spokane Valley, WA Β· Kent, WA.