Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
White
Austin
59.9%
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Kennewick
3.1%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Kennewick
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 23,594 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.7 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 22.3% | Kennewick + |
| White | 59.9% | 67.9% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 7.5% | 3.1% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 14.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 10.7% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Kennewick
57.1%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 57.1% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $433,399 | Kennewick + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Austin, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Kennewick
37.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Kennewick
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Kennewick
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Kennewick
13.1%
Kennewick +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Kennewick
16.7%
Kennewick +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Kennewick
11.6%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 37.4% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 10.9% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.4% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.1% | Kennewick + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.7% | Kennewick + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.6% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Kennewick
54.7°F
Kennewick +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 54.7°F | Kennewick + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 7.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 32.4 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while kennewick offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $433,399. On public safety, Kennewick is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Kennewick has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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