Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Kennewick
67.9%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Kennewick
3.1%
Kennewick +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 23,594 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.7 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 22.3% | Kennewick + |
| White | 83.6% | 67.9% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 3.1% | Kennewick + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 14.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 10.7% | Kennewick + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $76,120 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 57.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $433,399 | Kennewick + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Kennewick
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 383 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 3409 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Kennewick
37.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Kennewick
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Kennewick
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Kennewick
13.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Kennewick
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Kennewick
11.6%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Kennewick
54.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 54.7°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 7.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 32.4 min | Boise + |
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, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kennewick. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Kennewick has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Boise, ID vs New York, NYBoise, ID vs Los Angeles, CABoise, ID vs Chicago, ILBoise, ID vs Houston, TXBoise, ID vs Phoenix, AZBoise, ID vs Philadelphia, PA