Kennewick WA vs Rapid City SD — 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%
Rapid City, SD
South Dakota · Population: 76,836
- Median HH Income$65,712
- Median Home Price$363,258
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Rapid City
76,836
Rapid City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Kennewick +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Kennewick +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 76,836 | Rapid City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 39.0 | Kennewick + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 2.3% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 3.1% | 1.6% | Kennewick + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 1.3% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 5.6% | Kennewick + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Rapid City
3.2%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $65,712 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $40,447 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,795 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 3.2% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 13.3% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 36.4% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 61.6% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 405 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Kennewick +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.8% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 20.5% | Kennewick + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 15.9% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | 18.4 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Kennewick is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Rapid City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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