Bellingham WA 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)
Bellingham, WA
Washington · Population: 92,367
- Median HH Income$65,821
- Median Home Price$669,185
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
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
Bellingham
92,367
Bellingham +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Kennewick
67.9%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Kennewick
3.1%
Kennewick +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 23,594 | Bellingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.7 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 22.3% | Kennewick + |
| White | 79.5% | 67.9% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 3.1% | Kennewick + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 14.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 10.7% | Kennewick + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Kennewick
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 57.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $433,399 | Kennewick + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Kennewick
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Kennewick
3409
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 383 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3409 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Kennewick
37.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Kennewick
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Kennewick
13.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Kennewick
16.7%
Kennewick +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Kennewick
11.6%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 37.4% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.9% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.4% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.1% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.7% | Kennewick + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.6% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Kennewick
54.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 54.7°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 7.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 32.4 min | Bellingham + |
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 383 in Bellingham. 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, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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