Kennewick WA vs Virginia Beach 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kennewick
23,594
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,594 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 9.1% | Kennewick + |
| White | 67.9% | 61.6% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 3.1% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 14.8% | 7.2% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 8.9% | Kennewick + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,926 | $90,685 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,195 | $47,372 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,581 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 4.3% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 8.4% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.1% | 40.4% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $433,399 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.7% | 64.9% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.8% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.1% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Virginia Beach, 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
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Kennewick, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.4 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach 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, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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