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Metro cost profile · 2024 BEA RPP

Kennewick-Richland, WA

Cost-of-living indicators for Kennewick-Richland, WA, from Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities — overall, goods, services, and rents vs the U.S. average of 100.

100.1
Overall RPP
#88
of 387 metros
94.8
Rents RPP
$100K
$100K national buys

The verdict

Kennewick is more expensive than 77% of U.S. metros — an overall cost index of 100.1, 0.1% above the national average, led by services at 93.6.

100.1
overall cost index (US average = 100)
#88
most expensive of 387 U.S. metros
top 23%
by overall cost, nationwide
94.8
rents RPP — the biggest budget swing

A $100,000 national salary carries the purchasing power of about $99,921 here; matching a $100K lifestyle takes roughly $100,079.

What the Numbers Mean for Kennewick

Kennewick ranks #88 of 387 U.S. metro areas measured by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, placing it in the top quartile for cost. With an overall Regional Price Parity of 100.1, Kennewick-Richland, WA is 0.1% more expensive than the national baseline of 100. The gap between Kennewick's most and least expensive categories — goods at 105.0 versus services at 93.6 — is what drives the household budget experience on the ground, not the single headline number.

Translated into dollars, a nationally-benchmarked $100,000 salary carries the purchasing power of $99,921 inside Kennewick, while a household needs roughly $100,079 here to match a $100K lifestyle elsewhere. Rents carry the biggest swing in the BEA formula and are indexed at 94.8 — 5.2% below the national average — so anyone weighing a move or a remote-work arbitrage should treat the housing line as the single largest variable in the equation.

Looking at the 2008-2024 trajectory, Kennewick's overall index has risen by 5.9 points, signaling tightening affordability. For the 2024 data year, goods are indexed at 105.0 and services at 93.6, meaning everyday spending in Kennewick is governed more by the services and rent mix than by retail goods prices. Readers comparing multiple destinations should always pair the RPP headline with local wage data and housing costs before drawing relocation conclusions.

Kennewick vs every U.S. metro

Where this metro sits in the national cost distribution

100 Top 23% higher than 77% of 387 US metros

80–84: 3 US metros (1%). Below this entry. 84–88: 48 US metros (12%). Below this entry. 88–92: 94 US metros (24%). Below this entry. 92–96: 97 US metros (25%). Below this entry. 96–100: 55 US metros (14%). Below this entry. 100–104: 54 US metros (14%). This entry sits in this band. 104–108: 17 US metros (4%). Above this entry. 108–112: 14 US metros (4%). Above this entry. 112–116: 5 US metros (1%). Above this entry. 116–120: 0 US metros (0%). Above this entry. This metro 80 120 every US metro, bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more US metros. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional Price Parities · 2024

Kennewick cost breakdown

BEA RPP by category — 100 = national average

RPP

What this shows Kennewick's gap from the national average is led by services at 93.6. Goods barely move between metros; the spread you feel is housing and services.

Source U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional Price Parities As of 2024

Goods vs. housing — where Kennewick's cost comes from

Metros near Kennewick's overall cost, plotted by their goods price (horizontal) and housing price (vertical). Same headline RPP, very different structures.

Crosshairs sit at the group median (goods 96.3, rents 111.7). Kennewick is more goods-led than its peers — its everyday goods cost more relative to housing. These metros sit near Kennewick's overall cost, yet they spread across the chart — proof that two places at the same headline RPP can have very different goods-vs-housing structures.

Crosshairs sit at the group median (goods 96.3, rents 111.7). Kennewick is more goods-led than its peers — its everyday goods cost more relative to housing. These metros sit near Kennewick's overall cost, yet they spread across the chart — proof that two places at the same headline RPP can have very different goods-vs-housing structures. 2×2 strategic matrix plotting 7 entities by Goods RPP (tradable items) → (X) and Rents RPP (housing) → (Y), with a crosshair dividing the plot into four quadrants. Pricier on bothMore housing-ledMore goods-ledCheaper on both 949698100102104106 9095100105110115120 Goods RPP (tradable items) → Rents RPP (housing) → KennewickAtlantaPalm BayGreeleyAllentownLas VegasPort St. Lucie
Crosshairs sit at the group median (goods 96.3, rents 111.7). Kennewick is more goods-led than its peers — its everyday goods cost more relative to housing. These metros sit near Kennewick's overall cost, yet they spread across the chart — proof that two places at the same headline RPP can have very different goods-vs-housing structures.

Price Index Summary

Overall

100.1

+0.1 above avg

Goods

105.0

+5.0 above avg

Services

93.6

-6.4 below avg

Rents

94.8

-5.2 below avg

Salary Equivalent

A $100,000 salary at the national average cost of living equals:

$100,079

in Kennewick-Richland, WA purchasing power

$50,000 nationally
$50,039
$75,000 nationally
$75,059
$125,000 nationally
$125,099
$150,000 nationally
$150,118
$200,000 nationally
$200,158

Use the salary calculator for custom amounts.

RPP History (2008-2024)

The cost of living has been trending upward, increasing by 5.9 points over this period.

Year Overall
2008 94.2
2009 98.2
2010 96.4
2011 101.1
2012 99.3
2013 98.3
2014 98.8
2015 97.7
2016 97.4
2017 98.8
2018 100.9
2019 102.3
2020 99.8
2021 100.5
2022 104.4
2023 98.9
2024 100.1

Metros with Similar Cost of Living

These metros have an overall RPP closest to Kennewick-Richland, WA's index of 100.1.

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 100.1 Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL 100.0 Greeley, CO 100.2 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ 100.0 Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV 100.2 Port St. Lucie, FL 100.2

Other WA Metros

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue 111.1 Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard 105.6 Wenatchee-East Wenatchee 103.9 Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater 103.7 Bellingham 103.3 Mount Vernon-Anacortes 102.4

View all WA metros →

What this means for Kennewick

How to read Kennewick's cost of living before a move, a job offer, or a budget.

  • Budget to local prices, not headline pay — a $100K national salary spends like about $99,921 in Kennewick. Salary calculator
  • Weigh housing heaviest: rents here index at 94.8 (5.2% below average) — the single largest swing in the RPP, while goods barely move between metros.
  • Local median household income is $85,881; adjusted for Kennewick's price level that is about $85,813 in national-average buying power.
  • Compare Kennewick head-to-head against a specific destination before you decide. Compare metros

RPP is BEA's annual price-level benchmark for the data year shown — not a live market quote. Pair it with current local wages and housing costs before deciding.

Compare to Other Metros

vs New York-Newark-Jersey City vs Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim vs Chicago-Naperville-Elgin vs Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington vs Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands Custom Compare →

Cost of Living Guides

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Most Expensive Cities: 2026 Rankings
What drives high costs and how to cope
Salary Negotiation Using RPP Data
Calculate real purchasing power for negotiations
Comparing Metro Areas
Step-by-step BEA RPP comparison walkthrough

View all guides →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Kennewick-Richland, WA? ▼
Kennewick-Richland, WA has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 100.1, meaning it is 0.1% more expensive than the national average. Goods are indexed at 105.0, services at 93.6, and rents at 94.8. It ranks #88 out of 387 U.S. metro areas by overall cost.
What salary do I need in Kennewick-Richland, WA to match $100K nationally? ▼
To maintain the same purchasing power as a $100,000 salary at the national average, you would need approximately $100,079 in Kennewick-Richland, WA. Conversely, $100K earned in Kennewick-Richland, WA has the purchasing power of $99,921 at the national average.
How expensive is rent in Kennewick-Richland, WA? ▼
Rents in Kennewick-Richland, WA are indexed at 94.8, which is 5.2% below the national average. This is close to the U.S. average.
Is Kennewick-Richland, WA getting more expensive? ▼
From 2008 to 2024, Kennewick-Richland, WA's overall cost index changed by +5.9 points (from 94.2 to 100.1). The cost of living has been trending upward.
What costs the most in Kennewick-Richland, WA? ▼
The most expensive category in Kennewick-Richland, WA is goods at 105.0, which is 5.0% above the national average. The most affordable category is services at 93.6, 6.4% below average.
What metros have a similar cost of living to Kennewick-Richland, WA? ▼
Metros with the most similar overall cost index include Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Greeley. These areas have RPP values within a few points of Kennewick-Richland, WA's 100.1.

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by Metropolitan Statistical Area (2024). Index where national average = 100.

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Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCost Editorial

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Federal data behind these figures
  • BEA Regional Price Parities (RPP) — the cost-of-living indices shown on this page. bea.gov/data/regional-price-parities
  • U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) — the gross-rent observations BEA uses to build the rents component. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
  • BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI) — the price program underlying BEA's goods and services price relatives. bls.gov/cpi
  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — wage reference for the labor-driven services component. bls.gov/oes
  • HUD Fair Market Rents (FMR) — federal 40th-percentile rent cross-reference for the housing component. huduser.gov/datasets/fmr