Albany NY 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, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
100,081
Albany +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Albany
53.0%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 79,255 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 4.6% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 26.6% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 2.2% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 5.0% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Lynchburg
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Lynchburg
38.5%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $30,004 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,581 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 38.5% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 49.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Lynchburg
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Lynchburg
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Lynchburg
12.9%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 37.1% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.9% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.4% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.1% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.9% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Lynchburg
41.5 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 54.8°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 41.5 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while lynchburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,994. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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