Des Moines, WA vs Kennewick, WA

The cost of living difference between Des Moines, WA and Kennewick, WA is dramatic. Kennewick is 37.3% cheaper than Des Moines, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Des Moines has a cost index of 136 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 Des Moines is $1,727/month compared to $1,199/month in Kennewick — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Kennewick is more affordable at $343,600 median vs $539,800.

Median household income in Des Moines is $89,787 compared to $72,867 in Kennewick (+23.2%). The higher salaries in Des Moines partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Des Moines spend roughly 23.1% of their income on rent, more than the 19.7% in Kennewick.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 53.3°F). Des Moines receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 7.6" in Kennewick.