Asheville NC vs Kennewick WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Kennewick, WA
Washington · Population: 23,594
- Median HH Income$137,926
- Median Home Price$433,399
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+57.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Kennewick
22.3%
White
Asheville
N/A
Kennewick
67.9%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Kennewick
3.1%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Kennewick
14.8%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Kennewick
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 23,594 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 38.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 22.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 67.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 3.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 14.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Kennewick
$137,926
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Kennewick
$70,195
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Kennewick
3.0%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Kennewick
6.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Kennewick
57.1%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $137,926 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $70,195 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 6.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 57.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Kennewick
69.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $433,399 | Kennewick + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 69.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Kennewick
37.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Kennewick
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Kennewick
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Kennewick
13.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Kennewick
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 37.4% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.9% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.4% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.1% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.7% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.6% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Kennewick
54.7°F
Kennewick +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 54.7°F | Kennewick + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 7.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 32.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $433,399. On public safety, Kennewick is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Kennewick has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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