Kennewick WA vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Kennewick +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 4.8% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 3.1% | 1.6% | Kennewick + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 2.1% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 9.5% | Kennewick + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Meridian
$98,686
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Meridian
6.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $98,686 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $47,751 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $57,074 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 6.2% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 44.4% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $534,732 | Kennewick + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Kennewick +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.6% | Kennewick + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | N/A | - |
| 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
Kennewick +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
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, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kennewick. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Kennewick has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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