Kennewick WA vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 10.8% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 36.5% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 3.1% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 4.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $51,888 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $29,679 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $61,837 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 5.9% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 23.3% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 26.6% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 41.5% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Kennewick +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Kennewick +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 41.8% | Kennewick + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.7% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.1% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.1% | Kennewick + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 17.3% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | 35.5 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Kennewick +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kennewick + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 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, Kennewick scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.4%.
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