Kansas City 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
508,233
Kansas City +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Kennewick
3.1%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Kennewick
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 23,594 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.7 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 22.3% | Kennewick + |
| White | 57.8% | 67.9% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 25.8% | 3.1% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 14.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 10.7% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,120 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 57.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Kennewick
$433,399
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $433,399 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Kansas City +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 383 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3409 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Kennewick
37.4%
Kennewick +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Kennewick
13.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kennewick
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 37.4% | Kennewick + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.9% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.1% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.6% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Kennewick
54.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 54.7°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 7.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Kansas City, 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
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 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 $253,319. On public safety, Kennewick is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 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%.
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