Kennewick WA vs Kent WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Kennewick, WA
Washington · Population: 23,594
- Median HH Income$137,926
- Median Home Price$433,399
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+57.1%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Kent
84,389
Kent +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Kent
14.1%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Kent
67.2%
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Kennewick +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 84,389 | Kent + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 14.1% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 67.2% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 3.1% | 2.3% | Kennewick + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 1.9% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Kent
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Kent
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Kent
13.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $72,867 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $35,662 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 4.9% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 13.9% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 27.0% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Kent
62.8%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $657,911 | Kennewick + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 62.8% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Kent
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Kent
3409
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 383 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3409 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | 53.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | 39.1 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
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, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kennewick. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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