City Report · WA

Kennewick

Pop. 85,295·95th most expensive in Washington·Rental market data updated monthly for Kennewick, WA
Median rent (all units)
$1,621/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.5%
Month-over-Month
+0.9%
vs US Median
-$344
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Kennewick · $1,621
More affordable than 68% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
61/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 6% below what Kennewick's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,621/mo
Expected by trend
$1,715/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Kennewick's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,155
1 BR
$1,295
2 BR
$1,575
3 BR
$2,100
4 BR+
$2,430
Research median
$1,575/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$19,452/yr
At $1,621/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (2.5% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.5% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Kennewick, WA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 26.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
85,295
Median income
$73,576
Median age
35.7
Renters
38.7%
Age distribution
26.1%
22.9%
23.7%
16%
Under 1826.1%
18–3422.9%
35–5423.7%
55–6411.2%
65+16%
Gender
49.3%
50.7%
Male49.3%
Female50.7%
Race & ethnicity
63.9%
33%
White63.9%
Black2.3%
Hispanic33%
Asian2%
Education (25+)
13.6%
26.5%
33.6%
26.2%
No HS diploma13.6%
HS diploma26.5%
Some college33.6%
Bachelor's+26.2%
Housing tenure
61.3%
38.7%
Owner61.3%
Renter38.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Kennewick, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,209 → $1,621
up 34.1%
Income
$64,053 → $73,576
up 14.9%
Population
83,082 → 85,295
up 2.7%
Renter share
36.7% → 38.7%
+2.0 pts
Bachelor's+
26.1% → 26.2%
+0.1 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Kennewick, WA has shifted from $1,209 to $1,621, up 34.1% since 2021. Census figures show median household income at $73,576 today, compared with $64,053 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Kennewick, WA adding about 2,213 residents over the five-year window, up 2.7% on net. The renter share has risen from 36.7% to 38.7%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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View Kennewick rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Kennewick on your salary?

At $1,621/mo, how Kennewick rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Kennewick rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Kennewick. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Kennewick

About renting in Kennewick, WA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Kennewick is $1,621/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,155/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,575/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,295/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,100/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($73,576/yr), Kennewick ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Kennewick an affordable city for renters?

Kennewick is considered affordable for renters. At $1,621/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($73,576/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Kennewick falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Kennewick?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $65,000/year (~$31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,621/mo in Kennewick. The local median household income is $73,576/yr, meaning the typical Kennewick household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Kennewick?

Rent in Kennewick has increased 2.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Kennewick neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Kennewick are 99336 ($1,541/mo), and 99337 ($2,012/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Kennewick is $1,621/mo.

How does Kennewick rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Kennewick is one of the more affordable cities in Washington for rent, ranking #95 out of 110 tracked cities at $1,621/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Kennewick?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Kennewick ($1,621/mo): Pendleton ($1,343/mo), Hermiston ($1,478/mo).

What percentage of Kennewick residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 38.7% of Kennewick households are renters, while 61.3% are owner-occupied. Kennewick leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Kennewick rent compare to the national average?

Kennewick's median rent of $1,621/mo is $344 (18%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #95 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,621/mo, rent takes ~26% of Kennewick's median household income ($73,576/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Kennewick 26%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Kennewick
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Kennewick, WA

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