Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Kennewick
67.9%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Kennewick
3.1%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 23,594 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 22.3% | Kennewick + |
| White | 74.3% | 67.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 3.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 14.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 10.7% | Kennewick + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,120 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 57.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Kennewick
$433,399
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $433,399 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Columbia +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 383 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3409 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Kennewick
37.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Kennewick
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Kennewick
13.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Kennewick
16.7%
Kennewick +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 37.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 10.9% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.4% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 13.1% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.7% | Kennewick + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.6% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Kennewick
54.7°F
Kennewick +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 54.7°F | Kennewick + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 7.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kennewick + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 32.4 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Kennewick is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. 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, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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