The Kent, WA Salary Guide: What $100,000 Actually Buys You

You landed the six-figure job in Kent. The offer letter says $100,000. But in Washington State, the math works differently than in the rest of the country. Between the lack of state income tax and the skyrocketing rent near Sea-Tac, your purchasing power fluctuates wildly.

Here is the unvarnished data on what your budget looks like in Kent.

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The Verification Test ($100,000 Analysis)

Let’s strip away the vanity metrics and look at the actual liquidity.

• Sticker Price: $100,000
• Federal Tax: -$13,614
• FICA Tax: -$7,650
• State Tax (WA): $0
• Local Tax: $0

Your Real Take Home Pay: $78,736

That is a 21.3% effective tax rate. While you avoid Washington’s aggressive sales tax on your paycheck, the federal government still takes a significant bite.

• Annual Net: $78,736
• Monthly Net: $6,561

The Verdict: You are keeping 78.7% of your gross income. In a high-tax state like New York or California, that number would drop closer to 65%. The absence of Washington State Income Tax gives you an approximate $5,000 to $7,000 annual advantage over residents in income-tax-heavy states.

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Smart Budget Breakdown (50/30/20 Rule)

With $6,561 hitting your bank account every month, discipline is the only thing standing between you and lifestyle inflation. We apply the 50/30/20 rule: Needs, Wants, and Savings.

Needs: $3,281/month

This covers rent, utilities, groceries, and insurance.

• The Rent Reality: The median rent for a one-bedroom in Kent hovers between $1,600 and $1,900.
• Purchasing Power: After rent ($1,800) and utilities ($200), you have roughly $1,281 left for groceries, gas (you are commuting to Seattle/Tacoma), and insurance.
• Analysis: This budget is tight but functional. You can afford a safe apartment, but you cannot afford to be wasteful with groceries or car maintenance. You are living comfortably, but not lavishly, within your means.

Wants: $1,968/month

This is your disposable income for dining out, nightlife, and subscriptions.

• The Kent Factor: You are 15 minutes from Seattle and 20 minutes from Tacoma. This budget allows for frequent trips to the city, Seahawks games, and weekend excursions to the mountains.
• Analysis: This is a healthy "fun" budget. If you are single, this covers an active social life without stress.

Savings: $1,312/month

This is your future.

• Wealth Creation: $1,312/mo is $15,744/year.
• Analysis: This exceeds the standard 401(k) employer match. If you front-load this into tax-advantaged accounts (401k, IRA), you are building serious wealth. In Kent, a $100k salary allows for aggressive savings if you avoid the trap of buying a house immediately.

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Kent Taxes vs. The Competition

Washington State is a tax anomaly. It relies on sales and excise taxes rather than income taxes. Here is how $100,000 in Kent stacks up against two major competitors.

Metric	Kent, WA	Austin, TX	New York, NY
State Income Tax	$0	~$0 (No State Income Tax)	~$5,500 - $7,000
Est. Local Tax	$0	~$0	~$3,000 - $4,000
Take Home Pay	$78,736	~$76,000 (Higher property tax)	~$65,000
Buying Power	High	Moderate	Low

The Takeaway: Kent offers a massive tax break compared to NYC. While Austin also has no income tax, Washington has no corporate income tax, driving high wages in the tech and aerospace sectors (Boeing, Microsoft) that ripple down to the Kent economy.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the income tax rate in Kent?
A: 0%. Washington State does not levy a personal income tax on wages. You only pay Federal tax and FICA.

Q: Is $100,000 a good salary in Kent?
A: Yes. It is significantly above the median household income for the city. It provides a monthly net of $6,561, which is sufficient to cover high rents, enjoy the proximity to Seattle, and save over $15,000 annually.

Q: Does Kent have a local city tax?
A: No. There is no local income tax collected by the City of Kent.

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• Methodology: Calculations based on 2026 IRS Tax Brackets (Standard Deduction), Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%).
• Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for wage data; Washington State Comptroller for tax structure; Department of Treasury for Federal Tax estimates.