Kennewick WA vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 12.3% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 55.5% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 3.1% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 3.7% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $53,328 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $30,409 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $68,110 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 8.6% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 21.9% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 23.2% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 53.8% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Kennewick +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Kennewick +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 44.7% | Kennewick + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 15.4% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.0% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.0% | Kennewick + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 18.1% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | 36.2 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Kennewick +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kennewick + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Kennewick scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.4%.
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