Kennewick WA vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 8.6% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 43.2% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 3.1% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 2.1% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 10.3% | Kennewick + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Richmond
$44,249
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Richmond
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Richmond
44.1%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $62,671 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $44,249 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,581 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 18.8% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 44.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $374,265 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 43.5% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.3% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.8% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 13.9% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Kennewick +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7°F | 58.9°F | Kennewick + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.7 in | 43.6 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $374,265. On public safety, Richmond 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, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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