CostIndexUSA

Kennewick, WA vs Salem, OR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWA
Kennewick
100.1
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
OR
Salem
103.6
overall index
$1,675/mo rent

Kennewick is slightly cheaper than Salem — 3.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Kennewick, you would need $82,800 in Salem. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+16.4%
Kennewick
94.8
Salem
110.3
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Kennewick
105
Salem
105.3
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Kennewick
104.4
Salem
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+0.8%
Kennewick
94.5
Salem
95.3
Utilities+11.9%
Kennewick
93.6
Salem
104.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Kennewick to see what you'd need to earn in Salem to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Salem, OR
$82,800
$2,800 more needed in Salem

Formula: salary × (103.6 ÷ 100.1) = salary × 1.0350. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Kennewick, WA

Median Home Price
$431,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
94.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Salem, OR

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
110.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.0×

Salem has 16.4% higher housing costs compared to Kennewick.

Income & Job Market

Kennewick, WA

Median Household Income
$83,100
Per Capita Income
$47,400
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
84,347
Top Industries
EnergyAgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetail

Salem, OR

Median Household Income
$74,600
Per Capita Income
$42,500
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
174,365
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareManufacturingRetailAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Kennewick, WA
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Salem, OR
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.