Kennewick WA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Waco
9.8%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 9.8% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 54.0% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 3.1% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 2.0% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $51,468 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $28,819 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 4.4% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 24.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 28.6% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 48.9% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Kennewick +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 20.4% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 20.4% | Kennewick + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 15.1% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Kennewick +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | 66.6°F | Kennewick + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | 36.4 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Kennewick +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kennewick + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Kennewick is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. 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, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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