Kennewick WA vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Kennewick +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 14.5% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 63.5% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 3.1% | 2.2% | Kennewick + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 5.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Thornton
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $100,985 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $41,869 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 4.6% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 7.3% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 32.2% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $505,085 | Kennewick + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Thornton
3234
Thornton +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 512 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3234 | Thornton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Kennewick +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Kennewick +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.2% | Kennewick + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.4% | Kennewick + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.6% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Thornton, CO | 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
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Kennewick +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 32.8 min | Kennewick + |
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 512 in Thornton. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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