Charleston WV 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)
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Charleston
47,918
Charleston +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Kennewick
38.7
Kennewick +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Kennewick
67.9%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Kennewick
3.1%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 23,594 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 38.7 | Kennewick + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 22.3% | Kennewick + |
| White | 76.6% | 67.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 3.1% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 14.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 10.7% | Kennewick + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $76,120 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 57.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Kennewick
$433,399
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $433,399 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Kennewick
37.4%
Kennewick +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Kennewick
13.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Kennewick
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 37.4% | Kennewick + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.9% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 17.4% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.1% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.7% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.6% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Kennewick
54.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 54.7°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 7.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kennewick + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 32.4 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Kennewick is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. 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, Kennewick scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.4%.
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