Kennewick WA vs Las Cruces NM — 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%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Kennewick +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 112,612 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 10.1% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 54.1% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 3.1% | 2.6% | Kennewick + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 1.9% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $55,176 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $30,804 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $53,141 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 7.4% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 22.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 37.3% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 55.6% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Las Cruces
3177
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 834 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3177 | Las Cruces + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Kennewick +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.7% | Kennewick + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.1% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Kennewick +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | 58.8°F | Kennewick + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Kennewick is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
Compare More Cities
Kennewick, WA vs New York, NYKennewick, WA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Kennewick, WAHouston, TX vs Kennewick, WAKennewick, WA vs Phoenix, AZKennewick, WA vs Philadelphia, PA