Akron OH vs Lynchburg VA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Lynchburg, VA
Virginia · Population: 79,255
- Median HH Income$59,808
- Median Home Price$264,994
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Akron +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Akron
56.1%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 79,255 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 4.6% | Akron + |
| White | 56.1% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 29.4% | 27.7% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.2% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Lynchburg
$30,004
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $30,004 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $264,994 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 49.1% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Lynchburg
19.4%
Lynchburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Lynchburg
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 19.4% | Lynchburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.8% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Lynchburg
41.5 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 54.8°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 41.5 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynchburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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