Kennewick WA vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Kennewick +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 41.5 | Kennewick + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 67.9% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 3.1% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 9.0% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 2.4% | Kennewick + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $78,429 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $37,315 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $58,052 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 6.2% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 10.6% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 31.2% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 471 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.5% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 15.3% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Kennewick +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kennewick + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Kennewick is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. 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, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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