Kennewick WA vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Kennewick +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 38.0 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 8.5% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 3.1% | 1.4% | Kennewick + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 4.1% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Lakewood
$85,789
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Lakewood
$51,218
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Lakewood
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Lakewood
9.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Lakewood
45.3%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $85,789 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $51,218 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 4.5% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 9.1% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 45.3% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $575,076 | Kennewick + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 58.1% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Lakewood
3234
Lakewood +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 512 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3234 | Lakewood + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Kennewick +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.7% | Kennewick + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
Lakewood
17.3 in
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | 51.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | 17.3 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Lakewood
28.6 min
Lakewood +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 28.6 min | Lakewood + |
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 Lakewood. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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