Kennewick WA vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 13.7% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 58.2% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 3.1% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 3.1% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $54,546 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $31,152 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 6.4% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 18.8% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 30.2% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 51.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 450 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Kennewick +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.5% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.3% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.7% | Kennewick + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.5% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Kennewick +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | 69.8°F | Kennewick + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | 12.2 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Kennewick is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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