Asheville NC 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)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Asheville
N/A
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Lynchburg
28.4
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Asheville
N/A
Lynchburg
62.2%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 79,255 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 28.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 4.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 62.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 27.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 5.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Lynchburg
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Lynchburg
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Lynchburg
38.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $59,808 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $30,004 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 38.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 49.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Lynchburg
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Lynchburg
12.9%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 37.1% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.9% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.4% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.9% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Lynchburg
18.5 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 18.5 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 398 in Asheville. Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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