Kennewick WA vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 8.9% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 54.1% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 3.1% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 1.7% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $52,512 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $29,511 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $58,697 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 22.6% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 29.4% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 58.8% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Kennewick +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 39.7% | Kennewick + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 15.2% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 20.3% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 18.2% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | 38.0 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Kennewick +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kennewick + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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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