Kennewick WA vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 13.9% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 60.1% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 3.1% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 9.5% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Tempe
49.5%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $77,643 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $42,371 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 5.7% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 16.2% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 49.5% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $468,328 | Kennewick + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 41.6% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 450 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Kennewick +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.3% | Kennewick + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Kennewick +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | 71.3°F | Kennewick + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | 9.3 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
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, Kennewick is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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