Abilene TX vs Kennewick WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Kennewick, WA
Washington · Population: 23,594
- Median HH Income$137,926
- Median Home Price$433,399
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+57.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Kennewick
3.1%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Kennewick
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 23,594 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 38.7 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 22.3% | Kennewick + |
| White | 66.6% | 67.9% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 10.3% | 3.1% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 14.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 10.7% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Kennewick
3.0%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.0% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 57.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Kennewick
$433,399
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $433,399 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Kennewick
37.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Kennewick
13.1%
Kennewick +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Kennewick
16.7%
Kennewick +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 37.4% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.9% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 13.1% | Kennewick + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.7% | Kennewick + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.6% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Kennewick
54.7°F
Kennewick +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 54.7°F | Kennewick + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 7.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kennewick + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 32.4 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Kennewick is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Kennewick has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
Compare More Cities
Abilene, TX vs New York, NYAbilene, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAbilene, TX vs Chicago, ILAbilene, TX vs Houston, TXAbilene, TX vs Phoenix, AZAbilene, TX vs Philadelphia, PA