Kent and Auburn Washington Moving Guide

Kent: South King County’s Transit and Density Hub

Kent is South King County’s largest city and one of the most underrated communities in the entire Seattle metro area.   At a median sale price of $649,900, buyers find a wide range of housing stock, from newer townhomes near the Kent Station transit hub to established single-family neighborhoods along the Green River corridor. The city’s Sounder commuter rail station makes it a strong anchor for Seattle-bound commuters, with peak car commute times running 30 to 45 minutes and transit times varying based on Sounder schedules and bus connections. Kent’s demographic diversity is notable by any regional measure: U.S. Census Bureau data consistently places it among the most multicultural mid-size cities in Washington State, a factor families relocating from larger metros often name as a genuine draw.

Several new residential developments are expanding Kent’s housing options in 2026. A 564-unit market-rate apartment complex near Kent Des Moines Station is in the permit pipeline, and the Kent Multicultural Village from Mercy Housing Northwest is bringing over 220 affordable units to the area alongside community and retail space. Smaller new-home communities like Clark Lake Ridge and Alder Grove are also actively selling. This level of development signals a city in motion, worth factoring into any 5-to-7-year ownership horizon.

Auburn: The Commute Crossroads

Auburn’s median of $617,000 is one of the most competitive price points in the region for the square footage you actually get. Its geographic position makes it especially attractive for dual-income households: one commuter heads north toward Seattle, the other heads south toward Tacoma, and Auburn’s own Sounder station serves both directions. The historic downtown adds character, the Auburn Outlet Collection handles major retail needs, and some new construction in eastern neighborhoods has been adding inventory, though buyers should confirm current permit activity with the City of Auburn’s planning department. Seattle-bound car commutes run 40 to 60 minutes in peak traffic, so transit planning is not a secondary consideration here, it’s a core part of the decision and should factor into which specific neighborhood you choose.