Kennewick WA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Salem
12.2%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Kennewick +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 12.2% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 3.1% | 1.6% | Kennewick + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 3.5% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $71,900 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $36,477 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,691 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 5.3% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 14.7% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 31.4% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $438,754 | Kennewick + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 55.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Salem
3001
Salem +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3001 | Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Kennewick +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 41.4% | Kennewick + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.7% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.8% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.4% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | 39.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Kennewick +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kennewick + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while kennewick offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $433,399. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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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