Kennewick WA vs Paterson NJ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Kennewick, WA
Washington · Population: 23,594
- Median HH Income$137,926
- Median Home Price$433,399
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+57.1%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Paterson
N/A
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 67.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 3.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 14.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $527,542 | Kennewick + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Kennewick +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Kennewick +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 37.5% | Kennewick + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 16.1% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.6% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 28.6% | Kennewick + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 16.4% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $433,399. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kennewick. 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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