Cost of Living in Kennewick, WA

Population 84,389 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

104
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Kennewick lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $344,000 — 13% above the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in Washington.

Geographically, Kennewick lies roughly 130 miles southwest of the nearest major metro, Spokane. Housing prices track closely with Spokane's $326,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 113
Rent 91

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Kennewick

The median home value in Kennewick is $343,600 — 13% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,199/month, 9% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $72,867/year is 2% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.9%, above the national average of 4.8%. Washington charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 66.3°F and lows of 40.4°F. Overall, Kennewick has a cost of living index of 104 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 4% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$343,600
13% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$424,813
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,199/mo
9% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,602/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.9x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.0%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$963
1 BR
$1,018
2 BR
$1,317
3 BR
$1,845
4 BR
$2,071
Owner-occupied 62.8%
Renter-occupied 37.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,199
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,813/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
23.1 min
14% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.6%
Carpooled
12.3%
Public transit
1.7%
Walked
1.0%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
8.5%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 9.2%
State rate 6.5%
Avg local rate 2.7%
Property Tax 1.0%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$72,867
2% below avg
Per Capita Income
$35,662
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
1% above avg
Poverty Rate
13.9%
Labor Force Participation
61.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.1%
Graduate degree 9.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.8
Male median age 35.4
Female median age 36.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
66.3°F
Avg Low
40.4°F
Annual Precip
7.6"
20° 40° 60° 80° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 414959677783939181665041
Low °F 282833384653575648383227
Precip" 1.030.630.690.660.710.610.150.270.310.660.871.03

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 41 — Good
71.8%
Good air days/yr
261
Max AQI recorded
228
PM2.5 days
117
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

80.3%
4-Year Graduation Rate
18.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
35
Public schools
20,101
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Kennewick, WA?

Kennewick has a cost index of 104 (100 = national average). It is 4% above the national average.

What is average rent in Kennewick, WA?

The median gross rent in Kennewick is $1,199 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Kennewick?

The median home value in Kennewick is $343,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Kennewick?

The median household income in Kennewick is $72,867 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Kennewick, WA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Kennewick is 9.2%. Washington has no state income tax.

Is Kennewick, WA affordable?

Kennewick is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 104 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Kennewick?

Kennewick has average high temperatures of 66.3°F and average lows of 40.4°F. Annual precipitation is 7.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Kennewick at a Glance

Population
84,389
Median Income
$72,867
Home Value
$343,600
Median Rent
$1,199/mo
Unemployment
4.9%
Avg High Temp
66.3°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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