Cedar Rapids IA 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)
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Kennewick
67.9%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Kennewick
3.1%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 23,594 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 38.7 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 22.3% | Kennewick + |
| White | 79.7% | 67.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 3.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 14.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 10.7% | Kennewick + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $76,120 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 57.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Kennewick
$433,399
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $433,399 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Kennewick
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 383 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 3409 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Kennewick
37.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Kennewick
17.4%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Kennewick
13.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Kennewick
16.7%
Kennewick +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 37.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.9% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.4% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 13.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.7% | Kennewick + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.6% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Kennewick
54.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 54.7°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 7.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kennewick + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 32.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 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). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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