Kennewick, WA vs Lake Stevens, WA

The cost of living difference between Kennewick, WA and Lake Stevens, WA is dramatic. Kennewick is 35.8% cheaper than Lake Stevens, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Kennewick has a cost index of 99 while Lake Stevens sits at 155, 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 Kennewick is $1,199/month compared to $2,189/month in Lake Stevens — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Kennewick is more affordable at $343,600 median vs $593,900.

Median household income in Kennewick is $72,867 compared to $118,290 in Lake Stevens (-38.4%). While Lake Stevens is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Kennewick spend roughly 19.7% of their income on rent, less than the 22.2% in Lake Stevens.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.3°F vs 51.4°F). Lake Stevens receives more rainfall at 33.4" per year compared to 7.6" in Kennewick.