Chesapeake VA 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)
Chesapeake, VA
Virginia · Population: 251,153
- Median HH Income$94,189
- Median Home Price$422,528
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
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
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Kennewick
3.1%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 23,594 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 38.7 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 22.3% | Kennewick + |
| White | 56.2% | 67.9% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 29.0% | 3.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 14.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 10.7% | Kennewick + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,120 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 57.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Kennewick
$433,399
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Kennewick
69.7%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $433,399 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 69.7% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Kennewick
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 383 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3409 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Kennewick
37.4%
Kennewick +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Kennewick
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Kennewick
13.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Kennewick
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 37.4% | Kennewick + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.9% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.4% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.6% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Kennewick
54.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Kennewick
7.7 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 32.4 min | Chesapeake + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while chesapeake offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,528. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kennewick. 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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