Kennewick WA vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Kennewick +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 15.4% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 3.1% | 2.7% | Kennewick + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 5.3% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Salt Lake City
50.9%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $74,925 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $49,642 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $60,713 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 3.8% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 13.4% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 50.9% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $580,126 | Kennewick + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 46.8% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.2% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | 16.1 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
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, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kennewick. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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