Mankato Kennewick-Richland

Relocation analysis based on 7 federal data sources

Should you move?

Moving from Mankato to Kennewick-Richland is unfavorable: BEA regional price parity goes from 91.0 to 100.1 (US = 100), and HUD 2-bedroom rent rises by $367/mo.

+$8,678
BLS median salary higher in Kennewick-Richland
259 to 329
violent crimes per 100K (FBI UCR, state-level)
15.8:1 to 17.6:1
NCES student-teacher ratio
$4,265
DOL infant care higher / yr in Kennewick-Richland

BEA Regional Price Parity, HUD Fair Market Rent, BLS OEWS, FBI UCR, NCES, and DOL. The table below lets you override the composite with your own priorities.

Verdict
Unfavorable
Cost Index: 91.0 → 100.1
Rent Delta: +$367/mo

Pros of Moving

  • + $9K higher median salary

Cons of Moving

  • - 9% higher cost of living
  • - $367/mo more expensive rent (2BR)
  • - Higher violent crime rate
  • - Higher student-teacher ratios
  • - More expensive childcare
  • - More environmental violations

Purchasing power tightens: BEA RPP rises from 91.0 to 100.1, so the same paycheck buys less in Kennewick-Richland (ratio 1.10). HUD 2BR Fair Market Rent rises $367/mo ($4,404/yr) from $1,171 in Mankato to $1,538 in Kennewick-Richland.

Mankato still leads on 6 of 7 federal dimensions, the origin keeps the edge. Kennewick-Richland sits #195 of 387 metros on PlainRelocate livability (middle third). Mankato is #93/387 on the same ranking. Composite verdict: Unfavorable. Override it with the dimension table below.

BLS OEWS median salary moves $8,678 higher ($70,136 → $78,814). Labor-market size: 48,900 tracked jobs at origin vs 120,710 at destination.

State retirement friendliness favors staying put: Minnesota scores 49 (F, #43/51) vs Washington at 38 (F, #51/51). Full state tax and healthcare sub-scores sit in the retirement desk below.

Dimension
Mankato
Kennewick-Richland
Winner
Cost of Living
RPP 91.0
RPP 100.1
Mankato
Rent (2BR)
$1,171/mo
$1,538/mo
Mankato
Wages
$70,136
$78,814
Kennewick-Richland
Crime
259 per 100K
329 per 100K
Mankato
Schools
15.8:1
17.6:1
Mankato
Childcare
$11,722/yr
$15,987/yr
Mankato
Environment
1033 violations
2879 violations
Mankato

State retirement friendliness

Primary-state scores from PlainRelocate's retirement registry (tax + healthcare + climate composite). Metro pairs use each metro's primary state abbreviation.

Origin state · Minnesota
49 F #43/51
Income tax
60
Property tax
62
Estate tax
50
Healthcare
34
Destination state · Washington
38 F #51/51
Income tax
63
Property tax
63
Estate tax
50
Healthcare
18

Full retirement ranking · Source composite documented on methodology (Tax Foundation + AARP tax guides + federal healthcare/climate inputs).

Salary Adjustment Calculator

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

Equivalent salary in Kennewick-Richland
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Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, HUD Fair Market Rents, BLS OES, FBI UCR, NCES, DOL, EPA; retirement desk: Tax Foundation + AARP tax guides June 2026