Federal Way, WA vs Kennewick, WA

The cost of living difference between Federal Way, WA and Kennewick, WA is dramatic. Kennewick is 34.3% cheaper than Federal Way, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Federal Way has a cost index of 133 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 Federal Way is $1,738/month compared to $1,199/month in Kennewick — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Kennewick is more affordable at $343,600 median vs $499,600.

Median household income in Federal Way is $82,144 compared to $72,867 in Kennewick (+12.7%). Federal Way does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Federal Way spend roughly 25.4% 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). Federal Way receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 7.6" in Kennewick.