Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Kennewick
3.1%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Kennewick
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 23,594 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.7 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 22.3% | Kennewick + |
| White | 44.0% | 67.9% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 20.4% | 3.1% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 14.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 10.7% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $76,120 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 57.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Kennewick
$433,399
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $433,399 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 383 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 3409 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Kennewick
37.4%
Kennewick +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Kennewick
13.1%
Kennewick +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Kennewick
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 37.4% | Kennewick + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.9% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.4% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.1% | Kennewick + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 11.6% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Kennewick
54.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 7.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 32.4 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kennewick is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. 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, Kennewick scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.4%.
Compare More Cities
Kansas City, KS vs New York, NYKansas City, KS vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Kansas City, KSHouston, TX vs Kansas City, KSKansas City, KS vs Phoenix, AZKansas City, KS vs Philadelphia, PA