Kennewick WA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 19.9% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 61.8% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 3.1% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 8.2% | Kennewick + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Seattle
$121,984
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Seattle
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $121,984 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 4.2% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 9.9% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $871,599 | Kennewick + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 44.3% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Seattle
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Seattle
3409
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 383 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3409 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Kennewick +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.0% | Kennewick + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | 37.5 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
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, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kennewick. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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