Cary 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)
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
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
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Kennewick
38.7
Kennewick +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Kennewick
22.3%
White
Cary
60.1%
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Kennewick
3.1%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Kennewick
14.8%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 23,594 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 38.7 | Kennewick + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 22.3% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 67.9% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 7.6% | 3.1% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 14.8% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 10.7% | Kennewick + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Kennewick
6.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Kennewick
57.1%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 6.0% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 57.1% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $433,399 | Kennewick + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cary +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Cary, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Kennewick
37.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Kennewick
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Kennewick
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Kennewick
13.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Kennewick
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Kennewick
11.6%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 37.4% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.9% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 17.4% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 13.1% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.7% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.6% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Kennewick
54.7°F
Kennewick +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 54.7°F | Kennewick + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 7.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, 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
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 32.4 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while 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 Cary. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Kennewick has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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