Kennewick WA vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Rio Rancho
47,823
Rio Rancho +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Kennewick +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 47,823 | Rio Rancho + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 11.6% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 62.2% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 3.1% | 1.8% | Kennewick + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 1.6% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $50,294 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $28,418 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $53,141 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 5.9% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 24.2% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 19.6% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Rio Rancho
66.4%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 66.4% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Rio Rancho
3177
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 834 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3177 | Rio Rancho + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Kennewick +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | 55.7°F | Kennewick + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | 12.3 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Kennewick is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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