Kennewick WA vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 9.2% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 3.1% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 4.5% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 8.8% | Kennewick + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Lincoln
3.3%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $69,991 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $39,187 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $66,354 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 3.3% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 12.6% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 40.9% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 55.8% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Kennewick +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 20.6% | Kennewick + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.5% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | 29.0 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kennewick. 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, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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