Bellevue, WA vs Kennewick, WA

The cost of living difference between Bellevue, WA and Kennewick, WA is dramatic. Kennewick is 115.9% cheaper than Bellevue, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bellevue has a cost index of 214 while Kennewick sits at 99, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Bellevue is $2,505/month compared to $1,199/month in Kennewick — a 109% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Kennewick is more affordable at $343,600 median vs $1,203,100.

Median household income in Bellevue is $161,300 compared to $72,867 in Kennewick (+121.4%). While Bellevue is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bellevue spend roughly 18.6% of their income on rent, less than the 19.7% in Kennewick.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.2°F vs 53.3°F). Bellevue receives more rainfall at 37.8" per year compared to 7.6" in Kennewick.