Kennewick WA vs Worcester MA — 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%

Worcester, MA

Massachusetts · Population: 205,501

  • Median HH Income$67,544
  • Median Home Price$435,532
  • Unemployment6.4%
  • Bachelor's+34.1%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Kennewick
23,594
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kennewick
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Kennewick
38.7
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Kennewick
22.3%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Kennewick
3.1%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Kennewick
10.7%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Kennewick
N/A
Worcester
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kennewick
$76,120
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
Worcester
34.1%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
Worcester
42.4%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
383
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kennewick
3409
Worcester
1086
Worcester +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
37.4%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
13.1%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
16.7%
Kennewick +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
Worcester
14.5%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
54.7°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
Worcester
48.1 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kennewick
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kennewick
32.4 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +

Which City is Right for You?

Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while kennewick offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $433,399. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kennewick. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.

Compare More Cities

About Kennewick & Worcester