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How Much House Can I Afford in Kennewick, WA?
The median home price in Kennewick is $438,869, while the median household income is $85,881 per year. Using the 30% debt-to-income rule with a 6.36% (Freddie Mac PMMS · week of ) mortgage rate, 20% down, and $1,060/yr Washington homeowners insurance, you need $104,480/yr to afford it — $18,599 above the median income. On the median income, you can afford a home up to approximately $358,000.
22% income gap — a Kennewick household at the $85,881 local median income falls $18,599 short of the $104,480/yr needed to qualify on a 20%-down PITI at today's 6.4% rate.
Kennewick's cost of living index is 98 (national average = 100). The price-to-income ratio of 5.1x indicates a moderately challenging housing market for first-time buyers. The local property tax rate is 0.9%, adding $4,038/yr to ownership costs. Washington has no state income tax, which boosts take-home pay and purchasing power.
The median home value in Kennewick is $438,869 (Zillow ZHVI), with median monthly rent running $1,686/mo. Monthly PITI on the median home — assuming 13% down at the 6.30% PMMS rate — runs about $2,788/mo. Median household income in Kennewick is $85,881 — PITI consumes ~39.0% of gross annual income. Kennewick's price-to-rent ratio (21.7x) tilts toward renting over buying — the national benchmark is ~16x. Kennewick's cost-of-living index is 98, 2 points below the national baseline of 100 (BEA RPP).
Data as of · Sources: Zillow, Census ACS, Tax Foundation, Freddie Mac
See exactly what $X/mo PITI does to your Kennewick, WA take-home — open the calc with city defaults.
Open the calculatorFind the max home price you qualify for in Kennewick, WA given real PITI + DTI rules.
Income Needed to Buy a Home in Kennewick
Based on 20% down, 6.4% 30-year fixed rate (Freddie Mac PMMS · week of ), and the 30% DTI rule. Includes principal, interest, property taxes, insurance, and PMI where applicable.
| Home Price | Income Needed | Monthly PITI | Down Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $49,520 | $1,238/mo | $40,000 |
| $300,000 | $72,520 | $1,813/mo | $60,000 |
| $438,869 * | $104,480 | $2,612/mo | $87,774 |
| $500,000 | $118,520 | $2,963/mo | $100,000 |
| $750,000 | $176,040 | $4,401/mo | $150,000 |
* Kennewick median home price. Assumes 0.9% property tax, $1,060/yr Washingtonhomeowner's insurance (NAIC).
How Long to Save a 20% Down Payment in Kennewick
Saving for $87,774 (20% of $438,869) on the median household income of $85,881.
At a 15% savings rate, it takes about 6.8 years to save a full 20% down payment in Kennewick. Consider FHA loans (3.5% down) or conventional loans with PMI to accelerate your timeline.
Monthly Mortgage Cost Breakdown in Kennewick
PITI breakdown for the median home ($438,869) at different down payment amounts.
| Down Payment | Principal | Interest | Taxes | Insurance | PMI | Total PITI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5% ($15,360) | $393 | $2,245 | $336 | $88 | $176 | $3,239/mo |
| 5.0% ($21,943) | $387 | $2,210 | $336 | $88 | $174 | $3,196/mo |
| 10.0% ($43,887) | $367 | $2,093 | $336 | $88 | $165 | $3,050/mo |
| 20.0% ($87,774) | $326 | $1,861 | $336 | $88 | $0 | $2,612/mo |
Based on 6.4% 30-year fixed rate (Freddie Mac PMMS · week of ), 0.9% property tax, $1,060/yr Washington homeowners insurance (NAIC). PMI at 0.5% of loan balance for down payments below 20%.
Rent vs. Buy Analysis in Kennewick
Comparing median rent of $1,686/mo to owning the median home ($438,869) with 20% down.
5-Year Cost Comparison
Verdict: Buying is favorable within 3 years in Kennewick. Owning costs $926/mo more than renting, but builds equity over time.
Nearby Cities by Affordability
Compared by price-to-income ratio (lower is more affordable). All data uses median home prices and household incomes.
| City | Median Home | Median Income | Price/Income | Property Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennewick, WA | $438,869 | $85,881 | 5.1x | 0.9% |
| Spokane, WA | $310,000 | $59,200 | 5.2x | 0.9% |
| Kent, WA | $495,000 | $75,800 | 6.5x | 1.0% |
| Tacoma, WA | $445,000 | $62,500 | 7.1x | 1.1% |
| Lakewood, WA | $380,000 | $52,800 | 7.2x | 1.1% |
| Seattle, WA | $780,000 | $102,900 | 7.6x | 0.9% |
Local context: Kennewick, WA
Housing economics in Kennewick, WA. The median home value runs 22.6% above the U.S. baseline for Kennewick, WA is $438,869 per Zillow's home-value index. Median rent runs $1,686 a month per Zillow ZORI, cheaper than the national $1,850 baseline. Effective property tax sits at 0.92% of assessed value, below the 0.99% national average tracked by the Tax Foundation.
Income and tax climate. Median household income in Kennewick, WA reaches $85,881 per the ACS five-year vintage, pulling above the $78,538 U.S. median. WA's top marginal state income tax bracket lands at 0.00% — one of nine states that levies no broad-based income tax, shifting the revenue burden onto sales, property, and severance levies. BEA's Regional Price Parity scores Kennewick, WA at 98.0 (national = 100), meaning a dollar in Kennewick, WA buys 102¢ — more goods and services than the same dollar nationally.
Local context as of 2026-04-19.
Kennewick, WA versus the U.S. baseline
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | U.S. baseline | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value[zillow] | $438,869 | $358,000 | 22.6% |
| Median monthly rent[zillow] | $1,686/mo | $1,850/mo | -8.9% |
| Property tax rate (effective)[tax-foundation] | 0.92% | 0.99% | -7.1% |
| Cost-of-living index[bea-rpp] | 98.0 | 100.0 | -2.0 pts |
How to use the Home Affordability Calculator
Walk through the home-affordability check with Kennewick, WA defaults pre-loaded from primary sources.
- Pre-fill with local dataEach calculator on this page loads with state- or city-specific defaults pulled live from primary sources (FRED, BLS, Zillow, Freddie Mac PMMS, IRS, BEA). The blue values shown next to each input are the local averages so you can see how your scenario compares to the typical case before changing anything.
- Override the inputs you controlChange any field to model your actual situation. The math reruns in your browser the moment you change a value — no signup, no API call, no data transmission. Hover over the small (i) icon next to each label to see the formula that field feeds and where the default came from.
- Read the derived valuesThe result panel shows the primary calculation (monthly payment, take-home pay, savings projection, etc.) plus the intermediate values that drive it. Each line item is labeled with the formula component it represents so you can verify the arithmetic against any agency publication, textbook, or competing calculator.
- Adjust assumptions and re-runMost calculators have a section for assumption inputs that are easy to overlook — annual raises, expected return, inflation, vacancy rate, depreciation schedule, marginal vs. effective tax treatment. The defaults are conservative; aggressive scenarios usually require explicit overrides.
- Save to "My Numbers"When the inputs match your reality, click Save to "My Numbers". The values persist to your device's local storage (IndexedDB) and reload automatically on your next visit. Nothing is transmitted to any CalcFi server — the saved-state feature is deliberately client-side only for privacy.
- Compare scenarios side by sideMost calculators offer a comparison view that shows two or more scenarios side by side. Use this to model decision points: 15-year vs 30-year mortgage, Roth vs Traditional IRA, salary vs hourly, lease vs buy. The comparison view also produces a shareable summary you can download as PNG or PDF.
First-Time Buyer Programs in Washington
If the $87,774 20%-down target in Kennewick feels out of reach, Washington's housing finance agency runs assistance programs that can cut the up-front cash requirement, the rate, or both. Eligibility varies — confirm directly with the program administrator.
- Home Advantage
- Opportunity
- House Key Opportunity
Source: Washington Housing Finance Agency program inventory (NAIC + state agency feeds).
Affordability Signals for Kennewick
Buy vs rent in Kennewick
Monthly PITI on the $438,869 median home in Kennewick is ~$2,788/mo — vs a $1,686/mo median rent. Rent burden on median household income is 23.6%, which falls within the recommended 30% guideline for housing costs.
Affordability gap in Kennewick
At the $85,881 median income and a 28% DTI ceiling, a median household can absorb ~$2,004/mo in housing. Qualifying for the median home requires roughly $119,486 in annual income; approximately 1178% of median-income households fall below that threshold.
Property tax in Kennewick
Kennewick's effective property tax rate is 0.92%, producing a ~$4,038 annual bill on the median home — below the state median bill of $6,027 and the 1.07% national average.
Housing market context
Kennewick's cost-of-living index of 98 (BEA RPP) reflects a market aligned with national cost-of-living norms. Inventory and pricing conditions track Washington statewide patterns. Methodology note: city-level market velocity data is not yet integrated for this city; state-level Washington benchmarks are used as a proxy.
Related Calculators for Kennewick
More Kennewick Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price in Kennewick, WA?
The median home price in Kennewick is $438,869 (Zillow ZHVI, 2026-04-19). The city's cost of living index is 98 (national average = 100), and the median household income is $85,881.
How much income do I need to buy a home in Kennewick?
To afford the median home of $438,869 in Kennewick with 20% down and a 6.4% mortgage rate, you need a household income of approximately $104,480 per year. This is based on the 30% debt-to-income rule, where your monthly PITI payment of $2,612 should not exceed 30% of gross monthly income.
How much is property tax in Kennewick?
The effective property tax rate in Kennewick is 0.9%. On the median home price of $438,869, that equals approximately $4,038 per year or $337/month.
Should I rent or buy in Kennewick?
The median monthly rent in Kennewick is $1,686, while monthly PITI on the median home (20% down) is $2,612. Buying is favorable within 3 years in Kennewick. Over 5 years, renting costs approximately $107,414 total, while buying costs $257,660 but builds $170,144 in equity.
What down payment do I need for a home in Kennewick?
A 20% down payment on the median Kennewick home ($438,869) is $87,774. FHA loans accept as little as 3.5% ($15,360), though that requires mortgage insurance.
What share of Kennewick households cannot afford the median home?
At today's 6.4% mortgage rate, a Kennewick household earning the $85,881 local median income falls roughly $18,599 short of the $104,480 needed to qualify on a 20%-down PITI — about 22% short. That gap puts the median home out of reach for the typical median earner.
What is the median household income in Kennewick?
Kennewick's median household income is $85,881/yr (Census ACS). The cost-of-living index is 98 (US = 100).
How does Kennewick compare to Washington statewide?
Kennewick's median home ($438,869) and rent ($1,686/mo) sit alongside Washington statewide medians, which the table on this page benchmarks against.
Where does the data come from?
Kennewick numbers are pulled from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI (home values, rent), the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (income, demographics), and local assessor data (property tax). Each value is timestamped on the page.
How often is the Kennewick affordability data updated?
Source feeds (Zillow, Freddie Mac PMMS, Census ACS) refresh on their native cadence — hourly for rates, monthly for ZHVI/ZORI, annually for ACS. Page caches revalidate every 24 hours via Next.js ISR.
Does this affordability check replace mortgage advice?
No. The Kennewick affordability calculator is educational reference using public data and standard formulas. It is not personalized mortgage, tax, or financial advice. Talk to a licensed loan officer before signing.
Can median-income households afford the median home in Kennewick?
With a ~$2,788 monthly PITI and $85,881 median income, housing would consume ~39.0% of gross annual income. Qualifying under the 28% DTI rule requires ~$119,486 in annual income. Educational reference only.
Is it better to rent or buy in Kennewick?
Kennewick's price-to-rent ratio (21.7x) tilts toward renting — above 20x, buying is generally expensive relative to renting.
What is the annual property tax bill on the median home in Kennewick?
Approximately $4,038/yr at the 0.92% effective rate on the $438,869 median home. The national average effective rate is 1.07%.
What share of median income goes to rent in Kennewick?
The $1,686/mo median rent represents 23.6% of the $85,881 median household income. The recommended housing cost threshold is 30%; Kennewick falls within that guideline. Educational reference only.
How much does commuting cost in Kennewick?
Average commute time in Kennewick is 21 minutes per ACS. Estimated annual commute cost runs about $3,658. Educational reference only.
How does the cost of living in Kennewick compare to the national average?
Kennewick's BEA RPP index is 98, 2% below the national baseline of 100. For a household earning the national median income of $77,540, this translates to ~$1,551/yr in purchasing power difference. Educational reference only.
Explore Home Affordability in Other Cities
Sources & Citations
- Zillow Research — ZHVI (home values) & ZORI (rent index) — zillow.com/research/data
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey (ACS) for median household income — census.gov/acs
- Tax Foundation — effective property tax rates by jurisdiction — taxfoundation.org
- Freddie Mac PMMS — weekly national average 30-year fixed mortgage rates — freddiemac.com/pmms
- National Association of Realtors — median sales price and affordability data — nar.realtor/research
- NAIC Homeowners Insurance Report — state-level average HO-3 premiums — naic.org
Methodology & Assumptions
Median home price uses Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI)[1]. Median rent uses ZORI, falling back to the Kennewick median rent in our static city snapshot where ZORI has no metro match.
Median household income is the Census ACS 5-year estimate[2].
Property tax rate is the effective rate from the Tax Foundation[3]. Actual millage varies by county.
Mortgage calculations use 6.4% (Freddie Mac PMMS · week of ) national average 30-year fixed rate (PMMS)[4], 30-year term, $1,060/yr Washington average homeowners insurance from NAIC[6], and 0.5% PMI when down payment is below 20%.
"Income needed" uses the 30% front-end DTI rule: monthly PITI ≤ 30% of gross monthly income. The price-to-income ratio (P/I) is computed as median home price / median household income; 3x or below is generally considered affordable, 4–6x challenging, 6x+ severely unaffordable.
Rent vs. buy assumes 3% annual rent inflation, 3.5% annual home price appreciation, 3% closing costs, and compares 5-year cumulative cost. "Breakeven year" is where cumulative ownership cost minus equity falls below cumulative rent.
Federal tax in the take-home calculation uses IRS single filer, standard deduction; state tax applies the top-marginal rate after state standard deduction; FICA = 6.2% SS + 1.45% Medicare.
Context for median sales price cross-references the NAR[5] where applicable.
Last reviewed reflects the maximum retrievedAt timestamp across all sourced data feeding this page.
Home price data from Zillow[1] / NAR[5] (2024–2025). Income data from Census ACS[2]. Property taxes from Tax Foundation[3]. Mortgage calculations assume 6.4% 30-year fixed rate[4], $1,060/yr Washington homeowners insurance[6], 0.5% PMI. DTI uses 30% front-end rule. Rent vs. buy assumes 3% annual rent increases and 3.5% annual home appreciation. Last reviewed .