Denver CO 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
White
Denver
62.9%
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Kennewick
3.1%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Kennewick
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 23,594 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.7 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 22.3% | Kennewick + |
| White | 62.9% | 67.9% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 8.8% | 3.1% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 14.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 10.7% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Kennewick
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,120 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 57.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $433,399 | Kennewick + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Denver +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Denver, CO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 383 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3409 | Denver + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Kennewick
37.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Kennewick
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Kennewick
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Kennewick
13.1%
Kennewick +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Kennewick
16.7%
Kennewick +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Kennewick
11.6%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 37.4% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 10.9% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.4% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.1% | Kennewick + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 16.7% | Kennewick + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.6% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Kennewick
54.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 7.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Denver +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Denver, CO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 32.4 min | Denver + |
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 512 in Denver. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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