Kennewick WA vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Rochester
26,509
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Rochester
38.7
Tie
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 26,509 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 38.7 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 7.1% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 3.1% | 3.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 5.2% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 3.9% | Kennewick + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Rochester
$127,247
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Rochester
$57,602
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Rochester
3.2%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Rochester
50.3%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $127,247 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $57,602 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,467 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 3.2% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 50.3% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | 34.0 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 28.3 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 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, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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