Kennewick WA vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Kennewick +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 37.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 6.1% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 3.1% | 2.7% | Kennewick + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 2.9% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 7.8% | Kennewick + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Spokane
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $65,745 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $38,200 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 14.6% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 32.6% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 58.3% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Spokane
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Spokane
3409
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Spokane, 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%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Kennewick +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.6% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.5% | Kennewick + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.7% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | 17.1 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Spokane, 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
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Spokane 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 Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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