Kennewick WA vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 12.2% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 59.4% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 3.1% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 8.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Tacoma
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $83,857 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $44,756 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 5.3% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 12.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 33.5% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $496,966 | Kennewick + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 56.5% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Tacoma
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Tacoma
3409
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tacoma, 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%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Kennewick +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.9% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.7% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.8% | Kennewick + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.9% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | 39.2 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tacoma, 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
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
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, Tacoma 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 Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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