Albany GA 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)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
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
Albany
67,939
Lynchburg
79,255
Lynchburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Lynchburg
4.6%
Lynchburg +
White
Albany
18.9%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 79,255 | Lynchburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 4.6% | Lynchburg + |
| White | 18.9% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 76.3% | 27.7% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 2.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Lynchburg
$30,004
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $30,004 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $264,994 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 49.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Lynchburg
19.4%
Lynchburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Lynchburg
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.4% | Lynchburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.8% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Albany, GA vs New York, NYAlbany, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAlbany, GA vs Chicago, ILAlbany, GA vs Houston, TXAlbany, GA vs Phoenix, AZAlbany, GA vs Philadelphia, PA