The Kennewick Salary Guide: What a $100k Paycheck Actually Buys

In the Tri-Cities, a six-figure salary is a significant milestone. But the gap between your gross offer letter and your actual bank balance is determined by one major factor: Washington State’s tax structure.

Here is the data-driven breakdown of what you can actually afford in Kennewick, WA, on a $100,000 salary.

The Verification Test ($100,000 Analysis)

We are stress-testing a $100,000 annual salary against current federal tax brackets and Washington state laws.

The Sticker Price: $100,000
The Reality: You do not take home $100,000.

Here is the immediate deduction from the top line:

• Federal Tax: -$13,614
• FICA (Social Security & Medicare): -$7,650
• State Tax: -$0
• Local Tax: -$0

Total Deductions: $21,264
Annual Take Home Pay: $78,736

The Verdict:
The "Real" Tax Rate on a $100k salary in Kennewick is 21.3%. You retain nearly 80% of your income. For context, if you earned $100k in Portland, OR, or New York City, you would lose an additional 8%–12% to state/local income taxes immediately. In Kennewick, that $100,000 sticker salary is essentially a $100,000 after-tax salary compared to high-tax metro areas.

Monthly Net Pay: $6,561

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Smart Budget Breakdown (50/30/20 Rule)

With a monthly net of $6,561, we apply the 50/30/20 rule to maximize wealth building without sacrificing lifestyle.

1. Needs: $3,281 / Month

Target: Housing, Utilities, Groceries, Insurance.

Can you afford rent?
Yes. The median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Kennewick ranges from $1,100 to $1,350. A luxury 2-bedroom or mortgage on a starter home sits around $1,800–$2,200.

With $3,281 allocated to needs, you can cover a mortgage of $2,000, plus utilities ($200) and insurance ($200) with roughly $1,000 buffer for food and transport. You are not "house poor."

2. Wants: $1,968 / Month

Target: Dining, Entertainment, Subscriptions, Travel.

This is your "fun" budget. In Kennewick, this amount covers:

• High-end dining at Columbia Crest or local breweries multiple times a week.
• Gas (which is significantly cheaper in WA than CA).
• Tickets to Tri-City Americans games or wine tours in the Red Mountain AVA.

3. Savings: $1,312 / Month

Target: Investments, 401k, Emergency Fund.

This is where wealth is created. Putting away $1,312 monthly amounts to $15,744 per year.

• If invested in a standard S&P 500 index fund, this compounds aggressively tax-deferred.
• This savings rate allows you to max out a Roth IRA ($7,000/yr) and still have $8,744 left for a brokerage account or down payment fund.

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Kennewick Taxes vs. The Competition

Washington State does not have a personal income tax. This is your primary financial advantage.

Metric	Kennewick, WA	Austin, TX	New York City, NY
Gross Salary	$100,000	$100,000	$100,000
State Income Tax	$0	$0	~$5,000+
Local Tax	$0	$0	~$3,500+
Federal Tax	$13,614	$13,614	$13,614
Take Home Pay	$78,736	$78,736	~$70,000
Cost of Living Index	Low-Medium	High	Extreme

The Takeaway:
While Austin has no state tax, the cost of living in Kennewick is significantly lower than Austin or NYC. By living in Kennewick, you win on both the Tax Rate and the Expense Rate, maximizing the purchasing power of every dollar earned.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the income tax rate in Kennewick?
A: The individual income tax rate in Kennewick is 0%. Washington State is one of nine states with no personal income tax. You will only pay Federal taxes and FICA.

Q: Is $100k a good salary in Kennewick?
A: Yes. With a take-home pay of roughly $78,736 (approx. $6,561/month), you are well above the median household income for the area. This salary supports a comfortable lifestyle, allows you to rent or buy a home, and leaves room for significant savings.

Q: Does Kennewick have a local city tax?
A: No. Kennewick does not levy a local city income tax on residents.

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• Methodology: Calculations based on 2026 IRS Tax Brackets (Standard Deduction $15,000), Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%).
• Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Wage Data, Washington State Comptroller, IRS Revenue Procedure 2022-45.