Kennewick WA vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Renton
75,721
Renton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Kennewick +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 75,721 | Renton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 67.9% | 48.7% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 3.1% | 2.2% | Kennewick + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 6.8% | Kennewick + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Renton
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Renton
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 4.1% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $765,686 | Kennewick + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 45.2% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Renton
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Renton
3409
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 383 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3409 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | 40.1 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while kennewick offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $433,399. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kennewick. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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