Kennewick WA vs Murrieta CA — 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%
Murrieta, CA
California · Population: 84,304
- Median HH Income$158,461
- Median Home Price$690,322
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+69.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Murrieta
84,304
Murrieta +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Kennewick +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Murrieta
15.9%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Kennewick +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Murrieta
8.1%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 84,304 | Murrieta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 46.0 | Kennewick + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 15.9% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 3.1% | 0.7% | Kennewick + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 8.1% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 10.1% | Kennewick + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Murrieta
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Murrieta
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 4.4% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 7.3% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Murrieta
53.1%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $690,322 | Kennewick + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 53.1% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Murrieta
2388
Murrieta +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Murrieta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 33.4% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.0% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.6% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Murrieta, CA | 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 +
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 24.9 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, 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 503 in Murrieta. 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, Murrieta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.4%.
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